Stanley Ardell Shirey Jr.

Stanley Ardell Shirey, Jr., Stan to his friends, Artie to his family, born July 25, 1943, in Darby, PA, to Marion McCormick Marsh and Stan Shirey, Sr., died June 18, 2015, at PRMC, Salisbury, MD. He grew up in Delaware County, PA – Folsom, Swarthmore, Collingdale, Gradyville and in Caroline County, MD – Greensboro and Denton among other favorite towns in both areas. He played football and graduated in 1962 from North Caroline High School, Denton. He loved his classmates and anticipated the reunions every five years. After high school, he joined the Navy for four years for the Vietnam war. He was exceedingly proud of his service and his country, attending USS Southerland reunions every two years with anyone who served on board from the time she was commissioned to the time she was sunk. Quite a history lesson, great chances to travel and a lot of fun, by and for him. After separating from the Navy, he worked for Gayle Electronics in Denton, the Easton Police Dept. for five years, managed Bill Mann’s Gun Shop on Dover St., worked at Lafayette Electronics on Rt. 50, did HAM radio repairs, and retired from the Dept. of Juvenile Justice after 30 years where he became the first supervisor on the Eastern Shore. He loved kids, could relate to them if they were troubled; teach them through Girl Scouts as a leader, area chairman, day camp director, silk screen instructor for the tri-state area, Fall School of Scouting chairman, and Training the Trainer instructor; and entertained them with humor, magic and clowning, especially with the Hanneford Circus for Boumi Shrine at Timonium. He loved to make people happy, following the precepts of his heroes, Abraham Lincoln, Hopalong Cassidy, W. C. Fields, Red Skeleton and Jimmy Durante and actively pursued a life of entertainment, learning at conventions in Baltimore, PA, NJ, VA, and Las Vegas, performing privately and for civic groups and businesses and was honored at the 100th anniversary of Owen Magic Supreme. Freedom was important to him, for everyone as well as for himself and his scooter gave him that sense. His reputation for honesty and fairness was implicit, he demanded truth and hated liars and fiction. After learning to read hieroglyphs from the University of Chicago, we went to Egypt on a trip of a lifetime. He was a Mason, Eastern Star, past President of the Magicians Alliance of Eastern States, and a 25 year member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. Not being much of a pet person, he loved his sugar gliders, magic bunnies and doves. Hobbies he enjoyed included collecting and firing guns, 50’s cowboys and country music, square dancing, oldies but goodies, TV: Big Bang Theory, NCIS, CSI, Castle, Bones, Sci-Fi, nature and history documentaries, woodworking, scuba diving, amateur astronomy, photography, painting, making jewelry, Disney, travel, model trains, face painting, balloon sculptures, clowning and MAGIC, MAGIC, MAGIC. He was proud to have been called a Renaissance Man. Stan lived his entire married life of 44 years in Easton, MD. He is survived by his wife, Riki, Aunt Margaret Rankin, first cousins Helen Ehrmann & Dan Lawrence, second cousins Christina & David Paleschic, Stacy & Adam Reid and Joe Ehrmann and four third cousins in New Jersey. Anyone who knew him, knew he was an extraordinary man. His motto: Live well, laugh often, love much…and he did. His creed: Hopalong Cassidy’s Creed, Gene Autry’s Cowboy Code, The Cowboy Code of Honor 1. The highest badge of honor a person can wear is honesty. Be truthful at all times. 2. Your parents are the best friends you have. Listen to them and follow their instructions. 3. If you want to be respected, you must respect others. Show good manners in every way. 4. A cowboy never betrays a trust confided in him. He never goes back on his word. 5. Only through hard work and study can you succeed. Don’t be lazy and maintain focus. Be punctual. A cowboy is a good worker. Take pride in your work, always finish what you start and do what has to be done. 6. A cowboy is helpful when someone is in trouble. 7. Your good deeds always come to light. So don’t boast or be a show-off. 8. If you waste time or money today, you will regret it tomorrow. Practice thrift in all ways. Talk less and say more. 9. A cowboy is kind and gentle to children and old folks, and also himself. 10. Many animals are good and loyal companions. Be friendly and kind to all creatures. 11. A strong and healthy body is a precious gift. A cowboy must keep himself clean in thought, speech, action and personal habits. 12. Treat everyone the same way as you wish to be treated. Accept people as they are. You can only lead by example. A cowboy is free of racial and religious intolerance. 13. A cowboy must never shoot first, hit a smaller man, or take unfair advantage, even of an enemy. 14. Live each day with courage. Be tough but fair. Know your boundaries and ask for help. 15. Our country’s laws are made for your protection. Observe and protect them carefully. 16. Children in many foreign lands are less fortunate than you. Be glad and proud you are an American. A cowboy is a patriot. 17. Remember that some things aren’t for sale. Be thankful for what you have, and be generous when you can. Pay it forward. 18. A cowboy’s purpose is to grow to be a better person today than yesterday. 19. A cowboy is more than he appears to be, he is a master of his fate. 20. Enjoy your life. Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.

Stanley Ardell Shirey Jr.

July 25, 1943 - June 18, 2015