July 16, 1919 –  July 23, 2012  Raymond Shirley, 93, died July 23, 2012, peacefully at home with his family by his side.Visitation will be held on Wednesday evening from 7-8 p.m., July 25, 2012, at the Meador Funeral Home, 401 Hwy. 377 N., Whitesboro, Texas. Graveside services will be Thursday, July 26, at New Hope Cemetery in Mountain Springs, Cooke County at 9:00 a.m.
He was born July 16, 1919, in Harris County, Texas to Hardy and Sarah (Ewell) Shirley. Raymond enlisted in the U. S. Army in 1942. He met the love of his life, Lucille Covington, while stationed at Camp Howze, Texas. They married on March 11, 1944, just weeks before he was deployed to Europe. After serving in WWII, he went to work for Chevron Oil as an oilfield pumper retiring in 1982 after 32 years of service.
He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed hosting fish fries for family and friends. He and Lucille also enjoyed taking bus tours together seeing much of the United States. They were loyal Texas Ranger fans and never missed a game on TV. Raymond and Lucille were season tickets holders for the Sherman Bearcats for over 60 years, traveling to many out of town games.
He absolutely loved his family and was very proud of what a wonderful legacy that he and Lucille created. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Nita Shirley Slaughter and husband, Bob of Sherman, son and daughter-in-law, Randy Shirley and wife Nancy of Sadler; 5 grandchildren: Rhonda Slaughter Colgrove and husband Danny of Frisco, Brad Slaughter and wife, Susan of Aubrey, Beth Slaughter Helgesen and husband Todd of Denton, Caleb Shirley and wife, Stacy of Celina, and Amanda Shirley Shearman and husband, Tim of North Richland Hills; 11 great grandchildren: Klayton and Callie Colgrove, Alex and Lance Slaughter, Luke, Noah and Morgan Helgesen, Michelle and Jack Shirley, Claire and Ella Shearman, and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends who were considered family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and 3 brothers: Ralph, Otto and Harry Shirley.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the donorâ??s favorite charity or to ManeGait Therapeutic Horsemanship Organization, 3160 N. Custer Road, McKinney, Texas 75071.