Calvert Shirley

Calvert “Wade” Shirley was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He left this world on July 29, 2021 at the age of 89 in Odessa, Texas.  He was born to O.T. and Melva Shirley on May 26, 1932 in Gridley California and lived most of his life on the family farm in Northern California. During the Korean War, he enlisted in the United States Navy and proudly served his country. During his eighteen month deployment, he took leave one time for three days when he returned to marry the love of his life, Kay Frances Shirley on February 21, 1953.

Wade Sr. valued time with his family more than anything. In his younger days you could find him spending weekends enjoying moments with his extended family on his farm. After the war, he loved flying his Cesna 150 with his wife Kay. There was never a kinder man than Wade Sr. His smile and willingness to lend a helping hand to anyone he met made him a remarkable and one of a kind man. He and Kay raised three children, Vickie, Wade, and Terry. They recall that Wade Sr. could fix anything with his hands and loved to read. He loved history and could often be found in his later years reading about historical events and war.

Wade Sr. was preceded in death by his parents O.T. and Melva Shirley, his bothers Thad and Larry Shirley, and his wife, Kay Frances Shirley. He is survived by his brother Guy Shirley and wife Gail, his son Wade Shirley and wife Janice, his daughters Terry Shirley and Vickie Moncrieff and her husband Sam, Ann Krumm, grandchildren Sammy Moncrieff, Michael Moncrieff, Kelley Moncrieff, Caleb Shirley, Taylor Pando, Kristen Collins, and Allison Lewallen, and his 12 great grandchildren.

The life of Wade Sr. was honored on Monday, August 2, 2021 in a graveside service in Monahans, Texas. He received military honors at his burial and will always be remembered as a man dedicated to his country but more importantly, his family.