Gordon Lyle Shirley, age 90, died Saturday, June 26, 2010, at his home in Rexburg after a brief struggle with cancer. He was born September 29, 1919,in Salem, Idaho to Frederick Amos and Clara Worlton Shirley. He married Verna Browning, on September 18, 1942, in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple.

Gordon graduated from Sugar-Salem High School where he was class president and the quarterback on the football team. He excelled at school and loved learning, a trait which continued up until his death, as he continued to learn about computers, digital cameras, and playing the piano.

He served for three years in the U.S. Army and was stationed in the South Pacific during World War II. He held the rank of Master Sergeant in the 872 Airborne Engineers and oversaw the building efforts of nearly one thousand men as they constructed roads for military use.

His construction efforts continued after his return. He constructed many homes and worked for Davis Construction Company from 1950 until his retirement. With this company he supervised the construction of many of the buildings on the Ricks College campus.

Gordon was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and always served faithfully in his callings. Before the war, he served as a missionary in the Texas Mission. Throughout his life he served as Bishop, High Councilor, financial clerk, Scoutmaster, and Sunday School teacher. Most recently he was an assistant coordinator for the baptisms in the stake. He attended the temple regularly with his wife.

He is survived by his wife, Verna Shirley of Rexburg; children, Marilyn (Jim) Gee, Linda Shirley, Lyle (Laurelyn) Shirley; brothers Jim (Doris) Shirley, Val (Bonnie) Shirley; sisters Afton (Thern) Teeples, Carol (Max) Parkinson, Kaye (Rex) Brown; 11 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughters Ann Wilding and Joyce Shirley; sisters Lola (David) Cook and Audrey (Evan) Hale.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 2, at the Stonebridge LDS Chapel, 475 East 7th North, with Bishop Kirk Widdison officiating. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg, and Friday at the church from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. prior to services. Burial will be in the Sugar City Cemetery. The family expresses their appreciation to Creekside Hospice for the care they provided to Gordon.