Gerald Robert Shirley

Gerald Robert Shirley, 93 of Bluffton, SC passed away peacefully at this home surrounded by his family on March 18th after a brief illness.

Jerry was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Janice Ludwig Shirley; his grandson, Jonathan Whitehurst Carson; and his parents Gerald Delmas Shirley and Margaret Tully Shirley.

He is survived by his children: Jeryl Shirley Carson, Elizabeth City, NC; David Ludwig Shirley and wife Kathleen of Jacksonville Beach, FL; Gail Shirley Hocking and husband Charles of Hampstead, NC; his grandchildren Jennifer Shirley Boykin of Charlotte, NC; Courtney Lynne Carson of Greenville, NC; Amanda Shirley Gammons and husband Carlton of Tampa, FL; Allison DeMolli Shirley of Jacksonville Beach, FL; great grandchildren Golden and Leo Gammons of Tampa, FL; his sister Janet Shirley Hill of Winchester, MA; and his loving companion Julie Erlandsen of Bluffton, SC.

He was born in Boston, MA on September 21, 1928. He was a veteran having served in the Army during the Korean conflict. He was a graduate of the University of Maryland.  He worked for Union Carbide  and moved to seven different states over his 20 years with them. He settled in the Triangle area in NC and went into campus safety, working at NC State University and then the University of NC at Chapel Hill where he retired. He and his wife Janice moved to Sun City Hilton Head in 1999.

Jerry was a big sports fan, especially college basketball - Go Heels. They rode their tandem bike for most of their married life.  He also loved Table Tennis and played in the Senior Olympics. He was very active in the Hard of Hearing Club in Sun City. He volunteered at the memorial gardens at both St Paul's  Episcopal Church in Cary, NC and at All Saints Episcopal Church, Hilton Head Island, SC. He was a very kind and loving man and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

He was a Christian Scientist and also attended All Saints Episcopal Church in Hilton Head Island.

The funeral service will be held on April 2nd, 2022 at 11:00 AM at All Saints Episcopal Church, 3001 Meeting St., Hilton Head Island, SC 29926.

Jerry’s ashes will be interred in the Memorial Garden there alongside his wife, Janice.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to All Saints Episcopal Church Columbarium Fund in memory of Jerry Shirley, 3001 Meeting St., Hilton Head Island, SC 29926.