Frank T. Shirley

Dr. Frank T. Shirley was born on June 2, 1951 in Texas City, Texas to Thomas Elbert Shirley and Vera May Scheig Shirley. He was a bright child, energetic and curious. He was gifted in music and played the piano, mastering Rhapsody in Blue as a teenager and Scott Joplin Ragtimes as a young adult. At Texas City High School he was mentored by John Martin and played many roles in Musicals and plays with Thespians Club. He taught himself guitar and was in a band. He studied at Trinity College, Oberlin College and Conservatory and University of Texas. He achieved a PhD in Mathematics and a Masters in Music at UT. During this time he discovered the Recorder and developed a love of Early and Renaissance Music and became active in the American Recorder Society participating in numerous gatherings and teaching opportunities in recorder groups and Madrigal Singing as well as composing new works. His other passion was teaching young people Mathematics as a professor at the University of Texas. He retired in May of this year. He died peacefully on December 1, 2024 at Christopher House.

 He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Tom Edward Shirley, brother-in-law Ben Berg, lifelong friends Steven Lovett and Bill Patterson, and special feline friend, GreyCat. He is survived by his wife Teresa Mulhollan, brother-in-law Gregory Mulhollan, sister Carolyn Shirley, nephew Nathan Shirlberg and family, niece Leslie Allman and her family, niece Amy Drosche who brought smiles to Frank’s face in her frequent visits at Brookdale Westlake, and her family, sister-in-law Linda Shirley, niece Wendy Allen and her family, nephew Tom Evan Shirley, his wife Nichelle, and their daughter Lia who saw Frank’s light in his music lessons, and best feline buddy, Albi.

 The family wishes to thank Dr. Shrikhande and Texas Oncology, the staff at Brookdale Westlake Senior Living Center, and the many musicians and friends with American Recorder Society esp. Danny Johnson. 

Memorials may be sent to Texas Early Music Project, American Recorder Society, and Hospice Austin.