Edward P. Shirley 

I visited Edward Shirley in Atlanta in June of 2005, just weeks before his death. He and his wife were delightful people.  They were a happy  couple and celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary just a few days after my visit. He will be missed!  He was an extraordinary person!

Ed Shirley, 69, 'put 36 hours into every 24'

Ed Shirley traveled the world and made a small fortune with Invacare Corp., a medical equipment business he helped found in Cleveland.

When he retired to Atlanta in 1992, he decided to devote his time to helping others. For a year, he and his wife, Patricia Linn Shirley, volunteered full-time for Walk Thru the Bible, an international Christian educational organization founded by Bruce Wilkinson of "Prayer of Jabez" fame. Mr. Shirley made two trips to Russia for the organization to distribute a video.

In 1993, the Shirleys joined Peachtree Presbyterian Church. Mr. Shirley became an elder and served on the finance and trusts committees. But his greatest love was teaching Sunday school. "Ed said that for every minute of presentation, it took him an hour of study," his wife said.

He had plenty of resources. "He has 45 books on Isaiah, his favorite book of the Bible, and at least seven Bibles, in many interpretations," his wife said.

"Ed was able to apply his knowledge of the Bible to everyday life, and he had a very easy way of expressing himself," said Chet Diercks of Roswell, a longtime member of his Bible class.

"He was unquestionably a man of the Lord. When we took a 30-day Australian cruise two years ago, Ed immediately got together with the ship's chaplain and worked with him to give devotions every morning."

Edward Paul Shirley, 69, of Atlanta, died Friday of esophageal cancer at Emory University Hospital. The body will be cremated. The funeral is 2 p.m. Tuesday at Peachtree Presbyterian Church. H.M. Patterson & Son, Oglethorpe Hill, is in charge of arrangements.

In his first years in Atlanta, Mr. Shirley became a Stephen minister and instructor, offering support and aid to people who had gone through traumas like divorce, death or illness.

In 1996, he learned that Gideons International would be putting new Gideon Bibles into the hotel rooms of Atlanta in time for the Olympics.

"Ed wanted to know what would happen with the thousands of old Bibles, and in typical Ed fashion, he took charge," his wife said. "He hired a big semitrailer, put it in a parking lot and collected the old Bibles. They took off the covers, checked the contents, then sent them out to prison ministries."

As Mr. Shirley approached retirement, he reserved one of his desk drawers for projects he called "I Am Going to Do This Someday."

In that drawer was a National Geographic article about bald eagles and their annual migration to Haines, Alaska. Mr. Shirley tracked down Dave Olerud, the man who wrote the article, and developed a friendship. "He went up to Alaska and found out Dave was a paraplegic. Ed told him he had spent his entire career teaching people about wheelchairs, and spent three days in his bedroom, helping him get the equipment he needed."

Mr. Shirley also assisted Mr. Olerud with his American Bald Eagle Foundation Museum and became a board member of the foundation.

Five years ago, Mr. Shirley and his wife established the Shirley Family Foundation, giving out money to various Christian, educational and arts causes. They helped fund a program with Georgia Southern University that allowed students to go to the American Bald Eagle Foundation and study there, living in apartments Mr. Shirley's gifts had helped build.

"Ed put 36 hours into every 24," said Mr. Diercks.

In 2004, Mr. Shirley had to slow down. He was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and had to endure a series of major operations.

But he was not going to miss his 50th wedding anniversary party. The couple had been lovebirds since they met in a high school production of "Hamlet" in Cincinnati, where Mr. Shirley played Hamlet and Mrs. Shirley played Ophelia. Their golden anniversary was celebrated June 11 at Peachtree Presbyterian Church, with 200 guests.

"Ed worked very hard to be there," his wife said. "He walked 30 minutes a day, lifted small weights and did occupational therapy to get strong."

At the party, Mr. Shirley "was beaming," his wife said. "He was so thrilled to be there. It was the most glorious day of his life."

Survivors include a son, Paul Andrew Shirley of Palm City, Fla.; two daughters, Susan Flowers of Buford and Carol Wrape of Monroe; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

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Edward Shirley Family-Placed Death Notice EDWARD PAUL SHIRLEY On that beautiful summer day of June 24, 2005, that lovely spirit flew away from earth to heaven. At eight o'clock in the morning, just as the golden sun was rising above the eastern skyline, that precious spirit which had inhabited its earthly tabernacle for sixty-nine years, nine months, and twenty-seven days peacefully and quietly passed over the river to wake up on the other shore. Always thinking of others, always fighting the good fight-his struggle with cancer ended when he looked at his loving wife and said "Triss, I can't do it any longer". The oil was gone and the flickering light in his eyes went out. The perfect seed sewn, the full ripened grain, the harvest was ready for the reaper. Edward Paul Shirley was born on August 28th, 1935, the youngest son of Joseph Boomer Shirley and Luella Barnes Shirley of Cincinnati, Ohio. He had one brother, Joseph Floyd Shirley. Edward is survived by his wife Patricia Linn Shirley-having celebrated their Golden 50th wedding anniversary almost two weeks ago at Peachtree Presbyterian Church with many family and friends from all over the country. His three children include son Paul Andrew Shirley and his wife Aleta, daughter Susan Shirley Flowers and her husband Anthony, and daughter Carol Shirley Wrape and her husband Eric. His eight grandchildren include Jennifer Lynn Shirley, Grant Paul Shirley, Hannah Aleta Shirley, Kristen-Ana Flowers, Andrew Lee Flowers, Jason Wayne Wrape and his wife Christy, Felicia Grace Wrape, and Fallon Shirley Wrape. His two great-grandchildren include Lissa Elaine Wrape, and McKenzi Christine Wrape.Over his lifetime he contributed countless hours towards his passions that include his faith in Christ, Bible study and teaching, and spreading God's word through the Gideon Ministry. His devotion to Christ was also evident by his service as an Elder at Peachtree Presbyterian Church and by quietly helping others as a Stephen Minister and Instructor. He was a true patriot and deeply loved his country, especially our national bird the bald eagle. In his younger years he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, was a Boy Scout Leader, and became a 32 Mason. He attended both the University of Arizona and the University of Cincinnati. His professional career included co-founding the Invacare Corporation serving in both vice president and president roles over many years. He served on the Boards of Directors of the American Bald Eagle Foundation, the Florida Oceanographic Society, The Navigators, Wildlife Forever, and co-founded the Shirley Family Foundation with his wife. Other memberships include the Capital City Club, the Atlanta Opera, the High Museum of Art, and benefactor of the Fernbank Science Center.Friends may call or send flowers to the H.M. Patterson & Son, Oglethorpe Hill Chapel on Monday, June 27, from 6 to 8 PM. The funeral service will be at the Peachtree Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, June 28, at 2 PM in the main sanctuary with a reception following. Contributions, in lieu of flowers, should go to the North Atlanta Gideon's Camp 1003, PO Box 29832, Atlanta, GA 30359 or to the charity of your choosing. Memorial tributes to Mr. Shirley may be posted by visiting www.mem.com  Arrangements by H.M. Patterson & Son, Oglethorpe Hill Chapel 4550 Peachtree Road, N.E. Atlanta, GA 30319 (404) 261-3510.

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