Eric Shire

Eric B. Shire left us on June 1, 2014. He is with God now and in eternal peace.
Eric was the son of Rocky Shire and Gloria McCray, both longtime school teachers for USD 446 here in Independence. Eric was born at University Hospital in Columbus, Ohio on March 20, 1970. He moved with his parents to Independence in 1973 and attended all twelve grades here in Independence. He graduated from Independence High School in 1988 and then attended Independence Community College and graduated with an Associates Degree. He transferred to Kansas University and graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree. He was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa before he graduated. He was accepted into Kansas University Medical Schools masters program in Physical Therapy. He graduated from that program first in his class and with special honors and distinction in 1994.
After completing his Masters degree he worked in physical therapy clinics in Lawrence, Topeka and Kansas City. In 2001 Eric moved his family to Independence and accepted a position with Labette Healths Rehabilitation Clinic. In 2004, Eric established and opened his own physical therapy clinic in Independence and until the time of his death he treated hundreds of patients and won their respect, admiration and love. He treated a full schedule of patients two days before he died. Eric was a skilled and gifted physical therapist. He was a healer and he cared deeply about his patients. He helped many patients, who had failed to make progress elsewhere. Lighthearted banter with his patients was one of his fortes and they loved him for making them feel at ease and for clearly caring about them and their rehabilitation. He will be sorely missed by current and former patients.
Eric loved horses, dogs and children. He wanted and had a large family. His children were at the center of his life until the end. He adored and doted on his second wife, Michele. He was a voracious reader and amassed and possessed an incredible amount of knowledge on many subjects. He loved to shoot and he loved the outdoors, something, which prompted him to want a place in the country. He loved mountain biking and rock climbing and became very skilled at both. Eric took several memorable mountain biking trips to Colorado, Wisconsin and Michigans Upper Peninsula with his brother Sean and his father.
In addition to his parents, his brother Sean and Erics wife, Michele, Eric is survived by nine children. He is survived by Darwin and Sagan Shire from his first marriage to Kepler Miner. He accepted, loved and embraced Clare Bindley and Caleb Katsbulas, Micheles children by a previous marriage. Eric and Michele had five beautiful children together. They are Roman, Elijah, Augustus, Giovanna and Genevieve Shire. Eric is gone now and he is in a better place, but he left a rich legacy in his family, in his dedication to his physical therapy practice, especially here in Independence and in everything he did to make this world a better place. He will live on in the hearts and minds of those who knew him and loved him.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday June 6th, 2014 at the Saint Andrews Catholic Church with Father Andrew Heiman Officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery under the direction of the Potts Chapel, Independence, Kansas.
Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday June 5th, 2014 at the Potts Chapel.
Reciting of the Rosary will be at 6:00 p.m., June 4th, 2014 at the Saint Andrews Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers the family has suggested memorials to the Shire Childrens Scholarship fund and contributions may be left at the Potts Chapel, Independence, Kansas.
Eric was a member of the Saint Andrews Catholic Church and the Knight of Columbus as well as the American Physical Therapy Association .
Eric was a devoted Christian and had a very strong faith in God.