Dr. James Harry “Buck” Shirley

DR. JAMES SHIRLEY Tupelo - Dr. James Harry "Buck" Shirley, 82, passed away peacefully Saturday, April 18, 2015, at the North Mississippi Medical Center after a brief illness. Buck was born in New Hebron on December 12, 1932. He was raised in Deridder, LA where he was a dual-sport athlete in football and Track. He was awarded an athletic scholarship to Louisiana State University for Football and Track. He left LSU in 1953, to enlist in the United States Air Force, rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant as a Russian Language Interpreter, before returning to LSU to complete his Bachelors degree and enroll in medical school, graduating in 1963. He completed his Residency in General Surgery and a Fellowship in Thoracic Surgery at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, Lackland AFB-San Antonio, TX in 1971. He was then appointed Chief of Thoracic Surgery at David Grant USAF Medical Center, Travis AFB-Fairfield, CA and served seven years in that position, rising to the rank of Lt. Colonel. In 1978, he retired from active duty service and moved his family to Tupelo to begin his surgical practice. For over 20 years, he enthusiastically served the community and his colleagues at NMMC, retiring in 2000. Never one for hobbies, he continued to serve the Hospital as a physician consultant until his death. It allowed him to stay busy and have continued interaction with the people who meant very much to him. Buck is survived by his wife, Jan Shirley; his two sons, Todd Shirley of Chattanooga, TN, Andy Shirley and his wife, Leanne of Baltimore, MD; his three daughters, Becca Orchard and her husband, Rick of Sand Point, ID, Cindy Roth of San Antonio, TX and Jamie Robbs of Dallas, TX; his grandchildren, Emily Orchard Wanless, Megan Orchard, Chas Roth, Chelsea Roth, Jennifer Robbs, and Daniel Robbs; his three sisters, Bonita West and her husband, Jack, Regina Lee, Kaye Reifschneider and her husband, Bob; and one brother, Kendall Shirley and his wife, Roxie. Buck was preceded in death by his parents, Disston and Ada Dampeer Shirley; sisters, Cynthia Shirley Farque and Quintilla Shirley and son, Rob Shirley. Visitation will be 4 - 7 p.m. Wednesday April 22, 2015 at W. E. Pegues, Tupelo. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Antone Tannehill Good Samaritan Free Clinic, PO Box 1821, Tupelo, MS 38802-1821 or the Sanctuary Hospice House, PO Box 2177, Tupelo, MS 38803. A graveside service with Military Honors will be held at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com