Birth date: Mar 7, 1959 Death date: Jun 26, 2024
Paul Michael Shirk of Austin, Texas and St Louis, MO, passed away on June 22 of sudden heart failure. Michael was born on March 7, 1959 to Paul Raymond Shirk and Anne Detzer Shirk in Lawton, OK. After Michael graduated from Langl Read Obituary
What can I say about Michael, who I loved like a brother? For about the last 20 years, I would always ask Michael what the theme for the year would be. I told him it was like consulting the Oracle at Delphi. He always came up with something kinda sincere and kinda ridiculous. One year it was "Movement Without Thought" and another year it was "Clarity of Vision" etc. etc. I think Y2K was "Wholeness," and when I told Julie she responded "Is that 'Holeness' with an 'H'?"
We were living in Houston, and Michael came over from Austin to attend a lawyer's conference in town. They put him up in a swank hotel near the Galleria, a highrise with balconies. It was a sweltering night in July, and when we drove up Julie and I looked at each other and gasped "Oh my GOD" in unison. There, on one of the upper floors, the guest had opened the door onto the balcony and dragged everything but the dresser and bed onto the balcony, backlit by the interior lights. We could hear a boombox blaring all the way down on the ground as we got out of the car.
It was Michael's room, of course.
A lot of folks came to visit Julie when she got ill. Our helper, a middle-aged black lady named Gertrude Freeman, met them all. When I asked her who was the biggest character, she immediately responded "Michael! I never met ANYONE like THAT man!" That's true of everyone who knew him.
Michael was a warrior in the best sense of the word: brilliant and fearless, compassionate and perceptive, big-hearted and hilarious. Every day with him was an exhausting adventure. I'd get up in the morning when he visited and pour myself a cip of coffee. He'd fix me with those piecing eyes and the first words out of his mouth were "So what do you think of the Hegelian dialectic?" That was Michael.
-- Tom McCourt
Forever in my heart.
I have special memories of Michael and have put together a photo album I'll be bringing today to the gathering. Also hope it's ok to share the playlist of songs that came up when thinking of Michael. He was a very special unique person I never want to forget.
Shirk... Michael was such a great guy! We spent hours chatting, laughing, listening to music, shooting pool and just hanging out during the years we worked together. He was always so quick to lend a hand to anyone in need, very charitable. A super nice guy and a great friend who always radiated optimism. He was intelligent, thoughtful, kind and a whole lot of fun! He is greatly missed.
Michael was well liked at TDLR where he was a Prosecutor for the Enforcement Department. TDLR Prosecution family enjoyed his smile and joyful demeanor as he strutted through the office with his radio playing some song he seemed to enjoy. Michael loved the law and music and people. RIP Michael.
From playing sandlot football with him as teenagers, when we nicknamed him "Tree" for his height and reach, to the last time I saw him when we all walked together through the Meadowlark Christmas lights, I'm grateful for the time I got to spend with Michael, a whip-smart, movie star handsome, funny, kind, and generous human being.
A friend in VA
Paul Michael Shirk of Austin, Texas and St Louis, MO, passed away on June 22 of sudden heart failure.
Michael was born on March 7, 1959 to Paul Raymond Shirk and Anne Detzer Shirk in Lawton, OK. After Michael graduated from Langley High School, in McLean, VA, he attended Randolph Macon College in Ashland, VA and American University in Washington, DC. In addition to his studies of Political Science, he loved his Lacrosse team and college Jazz Band. 1n 1988, he graduated from the New England College of Law in Boston, MA, quickly passed the bar exam, and had a stellar legal career following his passion of public service in Massachusetts. A highlight was an appointment as Special Attorney General for the State Board for Educator Certification.
Moving to Austin, TX, in 1990, Michael continued his legal career working tirelessly in the area of labor, union and regulatory law where he represented both teachers and city service workers. He won numerous awards for his work and was often lauded for his sharp intellect, excellent courtroom skills and detailed legal research.
Michael was an avid bicyclist who rode thousands of miles throughout Texas, often camping along the way. A music fan, he could be found enjoying live music and dancing in the many venues of Austin, TX. He also dedicated time to reading and volunteer work such as serving meals to unhoused persons and helping repair damaged homes after natural disasters.
Michael is survived by his son, Dr. Paul Shirk of Austin, TX, Paul’s mother, Martha Scarborough, of Asheville, NC, his sister, Kristin Gomez, her family in VA, as well as extended family and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Austin Mennonite Church, 5801 Westminster Drive, Austin, TX 78723,on November 2 at 11 am with a potluck lunch to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Austin Resource Center for the Homeless.
Michael’s sharp wit, hearty laugh, steady stream of good jokes, passion for life and love of learning will be missed by his friends and family.
https://communitycaretx.org/all-locations/austin-resource-center-for-the-homeless-clinic/
