Vernon (Vern) Dale Shirley
Vernon (Vern) Dale Shirley, 86, died in League City, Texas on December 22, 2020 due to cardiac arrest following a period of illness and decline.
Vern was born in Fort Sumner, New Mexico, on November 5, 1934. He grew up in Fort Sumner, played football on his high school team, worked at his dad’s grocery store, hauled hay in the summers, and still has many friends in the area.
Vern married Patricia Jean Walton in New Mexico in 1956. Their children are Janet Shirley Nodar (John); Sam Shirley; Kathleen Shirley Elmer; Judy Shirley Pieken; Peter Shirley (Janet); and Eric Shirley. Vern and Pat divorced in 1981. Vern married Barbara Dorsey in Virginia in 1986. His stepchildren are Alan Dorsey (Jackie); Sue Dorsey Harrison (Tim); Steve Dorsey (Jill); Sharon Dorsey Juergens (Louis). Vern’s grandchildren are Leah Nodar, Manny Nodar, Sophie Starling Shirley, Rowan Starling Shirley, Andres Quesada, Carl Pieken, Alex Pieken, Tim Shirley, Stefanie Shirley, Kyle Dorsey (Rachel), Ryan Dorsey, Trevor Harrison, Bryce Harrison, Jack Dorsey, and Ansley Dorsey. He has one great grandson, Kaynon Quesada. Vern loved his children, stepchildren, grandchildren and great-grandchild equally and passionately.
Vern was predeceased by his father, Archie Pope Shirley, his mother, Hazel Annie Morgan Shirley, his first wife, Patricia Jean Walton Shirley, his second wife, Barbara Dorsey Shirley, his daughter Kathleen Shirley Elmer, and his sisters Evelyn Shirley, Alberta Shirley, and Clara Martin.
Vern attended Eastern New Mexico University and was the first in his family to graduate from college. He held advanced degrees in education and management and graduated from the NATO Defense College while serving in the US Navy.
Vern joined the Navy in 1956 and retired in 1983. He was an aerial navigator, bombardier navigator, and electronic warfare officer. He served many tours on aircraft carriers including the USS Kitty Hawk and the USS Independence, and served in combat air patrols in Vietnam. He was the first Naval Flight Officer (NFO) in the history of the U.S. Navy to command a squadron, the VAQ-132 Scorpions. He served as an electronic warfare officer with the Atlantic fleet, a staff officer with the NATO war college, and a program manager with Naval Electronic Systems Command. After retirement, Vern worked as a military consultant for many years.
While Vern was in the Navy, he and his family lived on Guam and in New Jersey, Washington state, California, Virginia, and Maryland. After retiring he moved to Mason, Ohio, near Cincinnati, and lived there 21 years. He moved to League City, Texas, in 2019 to be near family.
Vern loved music and had a melodic baritone voice. His rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner was a real treat. For many years he sang in the choir at Faith Community United Methodist Church, near Mason, and with the Men of Faith choral group.
He was fiercely loyal, compassionate, and always willing to help those in need. He loved football and was a Cincinnati Bengals fan for years. Since moving to Houston, Vern had transferred his allegiance to the Houston Texans, perhaps a more rewarding activity. He had many friends and he loved his family deeply.
The Family will receive friends on Friday, January 8, 2021 at 2:00PM with a Ceremony at 3:00pm at Crowder Funeral Home, 1645 East Main, League City, Texas 77573.
I’m so sorry to hear of Mr Shirley’s passing! Our families were friends when I was younger and I have many fond memories of it! I’d like to express my sincere condolences to all of the family. I’m keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers!
We will sadly miss Vern’s voice and his compassion for others. He always had a kind word for everyone he met – and we are better people for having known him through his activities with the Chancel Choir, Men of Faith and Bible Study groups at Faith Community United Methodist in West Chester (Cincinnati), Ohio. He was always a true gentleman – and would help anyone even when his health was not the greatest. Vern is now a member of God’s Heavenly Choir.
Vern you left your special mark in many places. I was so glad to know Vern from the choir at Faith. A gentlemen with a beautiful voice. He was so kind and would help anyone. He will be so missed. Rest In Peace. Vern!
Sincerely,Sue Newell
Our family loved Vern and appreciated his kindness and compassion very much. As extended family we were fortunate enough to be with him on numerous occasions. He was very caring and extended his support during a difficult time in our family. We will miss him and send our thoughts and prayers to all the family.
We had so many talks on just about everything you could imagine. I can’t believe he is gone. I am so sorry! He was an exceptional man!
Thank you, Terry. He loved Fort Sumner and his Ft Sumner friends. He always wanted to stop by for a visit when we were driving through.
Vern and I became friends as part of a men’s small group at Faith Community UMC several years ago.. I had always admired his dedication to assisting and caring for Barbara when her health was failing. We bonded over being displaced boys from the Southwestern US in Ohio, despite having grown up in locations a thousand miles from each other and a 20+ year age difference. Our weekly breakfasts at Bob Evans in Mason were filled with laughs, stories and prayer for friends and family. Vern was a big favorite of the waitresses at Bob Evans, due to his humble, honest, and caring manner. Vern was a great example of a man who was very honest about his failures and shortcomings, and encouraged others do do the same and embrace faith in Jesus Christ. Enjoy your heavenly reward my friend!
I had the good fortune of meeting Vern in the spring of 1971 when I was assigned to VAQ-129 @ Whidbey Island to fill a contractor (Grumman) ETS-Req billet (Engineering Technical Services). My time throughout the 70s with VAQ-129 were some of the best years of my life, both personal and professional; – in no small part to the cadre of fine Naval Officers that I worked for and with. Vern was one of a handful that was truly exceptional. Vern was one of the most candid and confident people I have ever met. Vern was “larger-than-life. An example: when Vern found out that I had rented a basic pop-up canvas-top tent trailer to take my family camping in British Columbia with, he more than suggested that I ‘borrow’ his fully equipped travel trailer to “camp out” @ nearby Deception Pass Park. I was more than overwhelmed by Vern’s generous “offer”, and quickly declined with the excuse that my new 1972 Ford Esquire Station Wagon was not set up to tow his mid-sized trailer. And just as quickly, Vern’s response was “no problem, take my Mercury (Colony Park?) Station Wagon; – it is all set up to tow”. Again, seeking to escape from accepting the responsibility of the travel trailer and now his family vehicle as well, I sputtered “. But then, what will you (Patricia) drive?” Forward thinking Vern replied: “I’ll just drive your Ford Wagon until you return.” So there you have it, how could I say “No!”? I was now part of Vern’s family and as family, we simply shared. In closing, with Vern’s passing, I have lost one of my family and a good friend. Vern lived a good and full life. I was, for a short time, a small part of it. I came away with many good memories. I have Vern Shirley to thank for that. To his family, I know there are now a ‘hole’ in your life and a hurt in your heart. I share some of your pain.
Vern was a great friend to my late husband, Greg Madaris. When the chemotherapy would get Greg down, Vern would call and cheer him up. He was a cheerful presence in choir at Faith Community UMC in West Chester, Ohio. Vern was always a gentleman and tried to participate in as many activities as his health would allow. My sympathy and prayers for the family of this wonderful man.
Nancy Madaris