Lawrence Garon Shirley

Lawrence Garon Shirley, age 83, of Winnsboro, passed away peacefully at home on June 3, 2023.

Garon was born September 12, 1939, to the late H.B. and Emmela Shirley in Winona, Texas.

At a young age he was drafted into the army where he served, as he would put it, “everywhere but American soil” until eventually discharging honorably. From there he went on to work as a foreman for a construction company out of pouring light weight concrete on top of buildings and other construction work. From then on, as many of his brothers did and still do, he began his concrete masonry career, eventually starting his own business. As his grandsons put it, he became “The Concrete Man Of East Texas” A.K.A “ Mayor of Cartwright”. As big of a title as that was, he became second in command behind his loving wife Tommie Jo Shirley who took the prestigious title, given by Garon, as “The Boss Of Cartwright”. Together they raised four beautiful daughters. Although Garon was seen by many as rough and gruff, to those who were close to him he had a massive heart, especially for those in need. As many have said, he would give the shirt off his back if someone needed it. Most of all he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.

He was proceeded in death by his wife, Tommie Jo Shirley; Parents, H.B. and Emmela Shirley; Daughter, Sandra K. Burden and Her Husband BJ Burden; Brothers, David, Joe, Lewis, Jimmy, and Mack Shirley; Sister, Jane; Nephew, Joedan Shirley; and Great-Granddaughter, Jordan Keith. He was survived by Daughters Bobbie Davis and her Husband Shannon, Jimmie Lou Rouse and her husband David, and Dianah Murphy; Brothers, Perry of Winnsboro Texas, Jon of Winnsboro Texas, Tim of Oklahoma, and HB Shirley Jr. of Conway, Arkansas and Sister, Elizabeth Shirley of Waynesboro Mississippi; Grandchildren, Tommy Burden, Jennifer Houchins, Ronnie Miller (DJ), Stacey Gregory, Tracey Fortner (Jesse), Kimberly Kempson (Brad), Jeremy Davis (Christy), Christopher Davis and Ryan Davis (Laney). He also survived by 20 great-grandchildren and 3 great great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces, and nephews.