A. J. Shirey

He worked as a brakeman and conductor for Rock Island Railroad and Missouri Pacific Railroad for over 30 years. A.J. attended Westminster Presbyterian Church for many years where he served various roles as a Sunday school teacher, Deacon, and Elder. In recent years, he was a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church and SHARE Sunday school class. He was a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and served on the Board of Directors for El Dorado Rural Public Water Authority.

A.J.’s hobbies included hunting, fishing, square dancing, “making saw dust” in his beloved wood shop, and traveling. He completed his “traveling bucket list” by cruising through the Panama Canal and visiting six countries in the fall of 2012.

He was a hardworking, devoted family man. He always had a smile on his face and never met a stranger. He was always eager to help where he was needed. He loved to fish and enjoyed teaching his grandchildren how to fish and drive a boat. We will miss his wonderful fish fry’s! He delighted in playing card games with family and friends and liked winning even more. He was quite competitive! The grandchildren always looked forward to the challenge of seeing who would qualify to do the ”victory dance”.

At the age of 82 he mastered the iPad and used this technology to communicate with his children and grandchildren when he lost his ability to speak. His wit and wisdom endured to the end.

He is preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Eva Combs and Gerry Fennell.

He is survived by his loving wife and soul mate of 64 years, Dorothy Thomason Shirey; two sons, Dr. Thomason Jay Shirey (Robin) of Axle, TX, Phillip Gregory Shirey (Lisa) of Nixa, MO; two daughters, Jan Karen Woods (Dr. Bryan) of Salalo, TX, and Tonya Lynne Lambert (Dr. Rob) of Sherwood, AR. Pop, as his grandchildren called him, believed his greatest contributions were the ones he left behind and he was immensely proud of his 15 grandchildren, Brooke MacKay (Brent) of Mission Viejo, CA; Megan Ord (Peter) of San Clements, CA; Gabe Shirey (Mindi) of Las Vegas, NV; Dylan Shirey (Erin) of Huntsville, AL; Emma Shirey of Kirksville, MO; Jackson Shirey and Isabel Shirey of Nixa, MO; Dr. Ryan Brewer of San Antonio, TX; Kyle Brewer of Austin, TX; Paul Brewer of Houston, TX; Dr. Amy Lambert of Oklahoma City, OK; Emily Lambert of Denver, CO; and William, Joseph, and Eleanor Lambert of Sherwood, AR. He is also survived by four great grandchildren, Parker, Cole and Morgan MacKay, and Taylor Ord; one sister, Alene Melton of Shreveport, LA; and one brother, Charles Shirey of Greenbrier, AR.

Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 pm. Friday, June 28, 2013, at Young’s Funeral Directors.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 29, 2013, at First Presbyterian Church with Dr. Daniel Loomis officiating. Burial will follow at Means Cemetery in Hampton, AR under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors.

Serving as pallbearers will be his grandsons.

Memorials may be made to John R. Williamson Hospice House, 2301 Champagnolle Rd., El Dorado, AR 71730, or to First Presbyterian Church, 300 E. Main St., El Dorado, AR 71730.

An online guest registry will be available at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.