Clayton “Ross” Shirley

Clayton “Ross” Shirley, age 84, died Sunday, August 12, 2012 at Wheatridge Park Care Center in Liberal, KS.

He was born September 10, 1927 in Bogard, Missouri to Orval John and Edith (Greenwood) Shirley. In 1930, his family moved to Hugoton, KS. He graduated from Hugoton High School in 1945 where he was on the football team. After graduating, he spent 2 years in the U. S. Army being stationed at Fort Sill, OK and Fort Lewis, WA. Upon being honorably discharged, he enrolled in the School of Pharmacy at Oklahoma University. He graduated from O.U. in 1951 and worked as a pharmacist in Henrietta and Coweta, OK. In May of 1952, he and his wife moved to Liberal, KS where began working for Smiths Drug Store. In 1958, he bought stock in the store and later changed the name to H & R Pharmacy. He was co-owner of the store along with Gary Kauk, until his retirement in 1991.
Ross belonged to the First Christian Church of Liberal and served on the board many times. Memberships also included the Liberal Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis and Elks Club. He was an avid golfer and belonged to the Liberal Country Club and had served two terms as president.

On June 6, 1948, he married Inez Pauline Hamon at the First Christian Church in Ulysses, KS. She survives.
Other survivors include
1 Son – Rick Shirley and wife Jeannie of Dodge City, KS
3 Brothers – O. J. Shirley and wife Gay of Kingwood, TX
Bob Shirley of Tulsa, OK
Lee Shirley and wife Ellen of Olive Branch, MS
1 Sister – Patsy Butel and husband Paul of Paola, KS
2 Grandchildren – Brad Shirley and wife Tiffany and Allison Irwin and husband Shane
4 Great-Grandchildren – Alexander Shirley, Annabelle Shirley, Logan Irwin and Ian Irwin

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister.

Funeral Service will be 10:00 am Wednesday, Aug 15th at First Christian Church in Liberal with Pastor Terry Ford presiding. Burial will follow at Restlawn Cemetery, Liberal.
Visitation will be 11 am – 8 pm Tuesday with the family present from 6:30 to 7:30pm to greet friends at Brenneman Funeral Home
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to First Christian Church, Liberal Country Club or Wheatridge Park Care Center in care of Brenneman Funeral Home 1212 W. 2nd Liberal, KS 67901.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.brennemanfuneralhome.com