Tommy Kenneth Shirey

Tommy Kenneth Shirey, 70, passed away on Thursday, December 27, 2007 at his residence in Gatesville. Funeral Services will be at 2:00 PM Sunday, December 30, 2007 at Scott’s Funeral Home with Rev. Mike Barron officiating. Burial will follow at Restland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2-4 PM on Saturday at the funeral home. Tommy was born on August 14, 1937 in Gatesville as the fifth child to the C.E. and Freda Coskrey Shirey’s seven children. He was a wonderful son and brother. Tommy was born into a family that had lived in Texas before this land achieved statehood. Tommy graduated from Jonesboro High School in 1956 and often referred to his beloved alma mater as “The University of Jonesboro”. He married Jean Ann Martin Barnes on November 21, 1986 and accepted her children as his own. Tommy and Jean Ann considered it a great privilege and honor to have four children and ten grandchildren, which he doted on and considered them one of his greatest joys in his life. He kept everyone laughing with his tall tales. Tommy honorably served in the Army and worked for the State School for boys in Gatesville and for Purina Feed in Ft. Worth before working as a painter under Civil Service at Ft. Hood in DOL Maintenance until his retirement in 1989. Tom was a member of White Hall Baptist Church and attended every Sunday. Tommy was best known for loving God, his family and helping others. Tom knew someone everywhere he went and loved to visit. Tom welcomed people into his life and their concerns became his concerns. He played a few games of dominoes as well. Tommy was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Mable Shirey Marchi. Tommy is survived by his wife, Jean Ann Shirey of Gatesville; daughter, Nikole Shirey Key and husband Curtis of Gatesville; step-sons, Jonathan Barnes and wife Stacey of Houston, Caleb Barnes of Monterrey, Mexico; step-daughter, Anna Barnes Van Ness and husband Claude of Waco; brothers, C.E. Shirey of Gatesville, Charlie Shirey and wife Yvonne of Morenci, AZ; sisters, Kay Shirey Johnson of Arlington, TX, Claudine Shirey Row of Kansas, Hallie Pearl Shirey Worrell of Ft. Worth; grandchildren, Scout Key, Gracie Key, Cory Key, Matt Key, Matthew Barnes, Dylan Barnes, Aubrey Barnes, Alaina Van Ness, Noah Van Ness, Havah Van Ness, Daniel Van Ness and Connie Van Ness. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to White Hall Baptist Church, P.O. Box 933 Gatesville, TX 76528.