Jimmie “Jim” Donald Shirley born May 9, 1940 to Virgil and Ruby (Highbarger) passed away December 28, 2019 at 8:37 A.M. in Mercy Hospital, Joplin, Missouri, after a short illness. Jim graduated from Purdy High School in 1958.
Preceded in death were his parents, a sister Leoma Michael of Purdy, a brother Geral “Les” of Neosho, Missouri and a son Randy of Baxter Springs, Kansas.
Jim started his life long passion with automobiles when he was still at home, helping at a dealership his father worked at, running parts and autos to dealerships in Joplin and Springfield. He became a service writer for Cole Lincoln-Mercury in Joplin and served as a service manager for dealerships throughout the Tri-State area most of his adult life, retiring from Crow Brothers Toyota in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1995, after 38 years in the industry.
Jim enjoyed NASCAR, MOKAN Drag Racing, pleasure drives, attending the Kansas Steel Guitar Association’s yearly music in the park in Baxter and his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Jim married Marilyn Messer Smith on August 31, 1979. They were married over 40 years making their home in Commerce, North Miami, Bartlesville, Purdy, Monett and finally parking in Baxter Springs, Kansas.
He attended Lowell Friends Church the past 10 years and considered Baxter his second home, raising his three sons here with his first wife Bernice.
Survivors include a brother Dewey D. Shirley of Prescott, Arizona, four sons Jimmie “Jim” Alan and Linda of Joplin, Missouri, Anthony “Tony” of Baxter Springs, Kenny and Robin Smith of Commerce and Donny Smith of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Jim had eleven grandchildren and six great grandchildren with one on the way.
Jim’s final pit stop will be by his parents in Butterfield, Missouri. A memorial service and life celebration will follow in the weeks to come. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be sent to Lowell Friends Church c/o Full Throttle 2318 W. 21st St. Galena, KS. 66739. The family has entrusted Derfelt’s Baxter Chapel for cremation. Online condolences can be made at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com.
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