 Ronald
Vincent Shirley, a friend who touched the lives of many,
died Thursday, March 1, 2007 after a full life of 62 years.
Always quiet and charming, he entranced children as well
as adults with his remarkable sense of humor. Many knew him
and loved him deeply.
He coached young people in table
tennis, basketball, math, and skills to build their lives.
This private, gentle man brought magic wherever he went.
He excelled academically in electrical engineering at
Oklahoma State University, graduating as one of the top ten
University seniors.
In athletics, table tennis became
his sport, and he was a champion at OSU.
Ron was a
System Engineer for IBM early in his business career, but
owning small businesses was his life's work. Among these was
Copy Fast Printing, which he started and ran for several
years.
He became a national distributor for table tennis
equipment from Sweden and Japan and acted as executive
director for national table tennis tournaments in Oklahoma
City and Houston.
Through his businesses and hobbies, he
built life-long friendships.
Through Ron's coaching and
leadership, he became mentor and friend to many.
He
is survived by friends and family, including his older
brother, Jim Shirley; and younger sister, Kathy Walters,
brother-in-law George Walters; sister-in-law Elaine Shirley;
nephews Steve Shirley and David Shirley; and nieces
Christine Sinatra and Laura Walters; great-nephew Nicholas
Shirley; and great-nieces Saige Shirley and Adeline Sinatra.
He was preceded in death by his father, Melvin Shirley, and
his mother, Katherine Shirley. To remember Ron, memorial
gifts may be made to charities of your choice that serve
children and animals. A graveside service celebrating Ron's
loving life will be held at 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 6,
2007 at Rose Hill Burial Park, 6001 NW Grand Blvd in
Oklahoma City. SMITH & KERNKE 1401 NW 23rd ST.
Published in The Oklahoman on 3/4/2007.
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(From an email from Alex dated 9-20-18)
My name is Alex
Fields and I know it's been a while but I just got the info
on Ron passing away. What a great friend and mentor.
My
name is Alex Fields. I am an African American male and he
was one of my 1st coaches who discovered me. I went on to
take several state championships. At that time Ron was my
coach and I loved him like a father. He treated me like a
son. Whatever I can do to help the family in anyway. Much
love to those guys and anyone that's associated with the
table tennis world. I miss you all. My name's Alex Fields
(Kelly Boyce wrote on Mon, Sep 24, 2018 - "Can I post
this on the web page for Ron Shirley?" )
Alex - "Yes
please do it. It would be an honor to stand up for this guy.
Man, what a impact he made in my life".
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The following is from an email from Allen Stout dated
3-22-07
I just found out about Ron’s passing. We were very good
friends in college at OSU. His roommate and I were playing a
game of ping pong which evolved into a wrestling match where
I separated my shoulder. Ron took me to OKC the next day to
McBride’s Bone and Joint hospital where I had an operation.
In 1968, I joined the Marine Corps OCS in Quantico. Later in
my training, I was found to be not physically qualified
after re-injuring my shoulder.
Ron tried to teach me
how to play ping pong but he was way out of my league. We
live in Cordell Hall which is the building just West of the
stadium. Table tennis was played in the basement. I often
wonder what would have happened to me if I hadn’t played
that game of ping pong.
Ron was President of the
Men's Residence Hall Association back in those days and he
had a lot of influence with Student Government. He brought a
lot of recognition to the independent students at OSU. I
could go on but no need. Obviously everyone who knew him was
aware of how special he was.
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The following is from an email from Jim Short on 4-16-08
I met Ron when I was about 13 years old. He was far
kinder to me than I deserved since I came from an
unsettled home and occasionally took out my frustrations at
the club where he was the president
and coach.
I
would talk to him periodically over the years, and one time
even performed a magic show for one of his
young
relatives. Ron was always kind, funny and soft-spoken. He
helped me during a time in my life
when I really needed
help. I don't think I ever sufficiently thanked him for
that.
When I read of his death on the OKC Table
Tennis site it blindsided me. I only wish I had let him know
what
he had done for me.
Regards, Jim Short
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The following is from an email from Tuan Pham dated
11-12-09
Ron Shirley was a father figure to me, second only to my
real father. He took me under his wing when I was 9,
sponsoring me in table tennis and giving me the financial
support I needed to have a more successful table tennis
career. But 24 years after that first meeting, the only
thing that still resonates with me is what a great guy he
was. He was soft-spoken, easy-going, and cracked corny
jokes, which worked most of the time. He was so kind and
went out of his way to make us kids happy, once driving us
from a tournament in Miami to Orlando just so we can go to
Disney World, most likely on his own dime. Ron really hyped
up his successor at Stiga to us, but I knew it wouldn't be
the same, and it wasn't. The last time I spoke to him was to
invite him to my wedding, which I knew he probably wouldn't
be able to make because of the distance. He did inform me of
his hospital visits, but I never knew the severity of them.
I'm so sad to know that he's gone, and that I never got a
chance to say goodbye. I'll miss you, Ron. Thank you for
shaping my life in the ways only you can.
Tuan Pham
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