Dr. James C. Shires

Retired Colonel – US Army - 30 years service

President Emeritus  - Maysville Community College – University of Kentucky – 25 years service.

Known affectionately to many as "Doc"

Died 20th of May 2025 – in the early morning hours peacefully at his home in Maysville, KY from natural causes. He was in the loving care of his wife, his cat "Gandalf the Grey" and the dedicated nursing staff from Hospice of Hope.

Born 25th of April 1936 – in Ronceverte, Greenbrier County, West Virginia. He was the first child of Birdie M. and Charles C. Shires. Premature, weighing less than 6lbs – his mother stated that he "looked like a little rat". His grandfather stated that "he'll live but he'll never be right".

James graduated from Greenbrier High School, Ronceverte, West Virginia.  He gained his B.S and M.A from West Virginia University (Sock 'em bust 'em that's our custom – West by God Virginia).  He rounded out his education with an Ed.D. from the University of Virginia.

His job experience in higher education was as follows:

Assistant Director of Admissions – Marshall University.

Assistant to the dean – School of Education – University of Virginia.

Program Officer – US Office of Education – Bureau of Higher Education.

Assistant Dean – Graduate College – Western Kentucky University.

President – Maysville Community College.

President Emeritus– Maysville Community College –University of Kentucky.

His military experience was as follows:

Graduated US Army Basic Officer Quartermaster School.

Graduated 82nd Airborne Division - Basic Airborne Command.

Graduated Parachute Air Rigger School

Served with the 18th Airborne Corps – 612th Aerial Delivery Company.

Graduated US Army Quartermaster Officers Advanced Course.

Graduated US Army Command and General Staff School.

Graduated US Army War College.

Served in many US Army Assignments.

Instructor US Army Advanced Officers Course.

Commandant 2085th USAR School.

James was a resident of Maysville for 54 years.

He was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church – Ruling Elder – Clerk of Session.

He was the Director of the Disaster and Emergency Services.

After retirement he was the Curator of Education at the Kentucky Gateway Museum.

He was the host of the radio show River Talk on WFTM. (Very wisely he was barred from making it a "call-in" show)

He was an avid sportsman playing tennis, softball and golf over the years.  His golfing skills have been talked about with much mirth by the younger generations for years.

He was a beloved cast member in many theatre and television productions and when needed could belt out a few "Willie Nelson" tunes on the spot.

He left us on his own terms and in his final days when given an evening cocktail of Woodford Reserve Double Oaked in a medicine dropper he raised his head and exclaimed at the top of his voice "Hallelujah".  That was our Jim – Colonel "Doc" Shires.

James was preceded in death by his parents and his youngest brother Dr. Rev. Robert A. Shires (Beth).

James is survived by …

His loving and supportive significant other, wife and friend of 27 years Robyn Dufty.

His much beloved daughter Sarah Louise Shires.

His stepson Matti Bek Pauli.

His younger brother Retired Colonel US Army C. Douglas Shires (Sharon)

His little sister Francis Kay Shires Phinney (Bruce dec.)

He is also survived by a loving handful of nephews and one niece – and their children.

James will be buried in the Maysville/Mason County KY cemetery at 1521 Forest Ave. Maysville. He chose a plot with the chapel in the background where you can take brilliant photos of yourself at his gravesite and close to a cemetery road where you can throw flowers or make loving gestures from your car without even bothering to get out.

Services will be conducted at 1 P.M. Wednesday, May 28. 2025 at First Presbyterian Church with Pastor James Dougans officiating.  Burial will follow in the Maysville/Mason County Cemetery with Military Rites at the graveside.  Serving as pallbearers will be Eric Schumacher, Jamey High, Jason Butler, David Cartmell, Steve Dobson, Keith Pawsat and Mark Comer.   Visitation will be held from 10 A.M. until the time of the service Wednesday at the church.  In lieu of flowers memorials suggested to Hospice of Hope 909 Kenton Station Drive Maysville, KY 41056 or First Presbyterian Church 21 West Third St Maysville,  KY  41056,