Terry Shirley

Terry Carl “T.C.” Shirley

Retired Louisiana State Trooper Terry “T.C.” Shirley, a native of Meridian, Mississippi, passed away on September 24, 2018 at his home in St. Francisville.

Terry graduated from Istrouma High School in 1965 and attended LSU.   A U.S. Air Force veteran, Terry was a member of the Louisiana State Troopers Association, Fraternal Order of Police, U.S. and Southeast Team Ropers Associations. As a Licensed Auctioneer, he often volunteered his talent to local charity auctions. He was a member of the United Methodist Church of St. Francisville and Eastgate Masonic Lodge #452.

Terry is survived by his beautiful wife and best friend of 35 years, Deborah Charlton Shirley; children, Rachael Shirley Pollet (Lloyd) and Teri McCall Shirley; Victoria Faith; Brandon Christopher (Trisha), sister Gay Plauche, brothers-in-law Al Charlton and Sean Charlton, and six grandchildren, Mason, Bentley, Braeden, Tanner, Bennett and Teigen.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Coley Carl and Anne McCall Shirley, a son Justin Carl, daughter Kristen Anne and brother-in-law Jerome Plauche.

His was a life well-lived.  He could B.S. his way thru anything, was a bodyguard for two Louisiana governors (those were some stories), arrested Paul Newman for speeding, could slow dance, two-step or jitter bug his way into your heart and beyond, could infuriate his wife in a heartbeat and write poetry that would make you cry.  He was a gentle giant with a huge heart.

TC always dreamed of being a police officer or a cowboy.  He accomplished both.  Like John Wayne, he was a cowboy son-of-a-gun (politically correct so as not to offend) right up to the end.  He lived by the creed that “Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.”   When faced with life changing health decisions, he remembered “the Man Upstairs and the word H-O-P-E. ”  He hung on to both and toughed it out.

In the words of George Strait:   “This is where the cowboy rides away.”

Visitation from 9 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, 9856 Royal St., St. Francisville.   Christian service and Masonic Rites at 11:45 a.m.   Burial to follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory, 11817 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge.

The family would like to thank Dr. Brandon Tilley (aka “Valentine”) and the Daniel Clinic staff for taking such good care of Terry.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to St. Mary’s Residential Training School, 6715 La. Highway 1, Boyce, LA 71409 or to a charity of your choice.