Dr.Larry Shireman, 63, a former Plymouth resident, died at his home in Deltaville, Virginia, on September 23, 2009.
Born in Argos on March 30, 1946, Larry was the son of John R. and Pauline E. Rhoades Shireman.
He graduated from Plymouth High School with the class of 1964.
Larry earned a B.F.A. in Architecture from Tulane University: an A.A. in General Studies from Northern Virginia Community College, Summa Cum Laude: a B.S.W., Magna Cum Laude, from George Mason University and an M.Ed. Psychological Foundations of Education, Summa Cum Laude, from the University of Virginia. A gifted educator, Larry was a teacher, psychologist, coordinator and sponsor at Osbourn Senior High School in Manassas, Virginia, for 26 years.
His colleagues referred to him as a special human being who devoted his life to young people. His rewards are their successes.
The principal of Osbourn High School noted that Larry never disappointed anyone. His loyalty and dedication to the school and community are undisputed gifts.
At one point in his life, Dr. Shireman was a successful architect who gave up that career to work with students who were unsuccessful in school. He developed an alternative program which was expanded to include both a self-contained as well as a resource program. He used many creative means to reach the students he had worked with over the years.
He tutored many students so that they may pass and encouraged them to seek professional counseling so that they might live free of drugs or alcohol.
Larry was known to listen to kids and trying to help them through a crisis.
He was involved in many educational projects, including one program where he participated with needy youth in Annapolis, teaching young people to sail who would never otherwise have that opportunity. Several times a year he would take Osbourn students sailing as a means of helping them ride out the difficult times.
His community and professional outreach was extensive and included membership in many prestigious affiliations and participation as a delegate to countless educational programs and projects.
Dr. Shireman is survived by two brothers: Reg (Dorothy) Shireman of Monticello and Michael Shireman of Plymouth.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Graveside services will be held in Leiter’s Ford Cemetery on Tuesday, October 13, 2009, at 3:30 p.m.
The Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth is in charge of the arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army in Plymouth.
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