Woodward County Obituary
Elmwood Cemetery

© The Enid News and Eagle
July 30, 2017
Reprinted with permission
Submitted by: Jo Aguirre

JIM SHIRM

9 Aug 1937 - 28 Jul 2017

Jim Shirm, 79 year old Woodward resident, lost his battle with dementia on July 28, 2017 surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Monday, July 31, 2017 in the Billings Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Jim Steenbergen officiating. Interment will follow in Elmwood Cemetery .

Jimmie Duane Shirm was born August 9, 1937 in Harper County, Oklahoma to William Ernest and Edith Alma (Shuyler) Shirm. His exceptional work ethic was evident as a youth when he served as class President of Fort Supply High School. He was president of the FFA, and earned the Junior Master Farmer Degree. Jim graduated from Panhandle A&M College in Goodwell, Oklahoma in 1959 with a degree in Animal Husbandry, while winning numerous national livestock judging competitions. Three years after graduation, he was asked to assume management of the dairy herd at Panhandle A&M College. Within four years his cattle herd achieved statewide and national recognition, a pattern he repeated throughout his career. He managed several ranch operations including, Dr. Allen Greers ranch in Tuttle, Oklahoma, and Sonny Oates ranch in Big Sandy, Texas. He took these operations from poor production to national recognition with award winning cattle breeding programs. In 2004, Jim was recognized by the Red Angus Association as one of the 50 Most Influential in recognition for his contributions to the success of the Red Angus Association. In 2006, the Red Angus Association recognized Jim as the Pioneer Breeder of the Year. Of all of his professional achievements, he was most proud of ESS Choctaw Chief 626, the first bull of any breed to qualify for Certified Meat Sire status and ESS Tuscapride Ladd 809, the first Red Angus to become a Super Certified Meat Sire.

Jim married Betty Jo Wallin in Guymon, Oklahoma on October 5, 1956. Their two sons were born in panhandle of Oklahoma. The family moved to Enid when Jim became the farm manager of the Enid State School. He developed a ranch program that provided meat, eggs, and milk to 1000 disabled children, in addition to providing the meat for all of the teaching hospitals in the state of Oklahoma.

Jim married Catherine Sebastian on June 13, 1993 in Seminole, Oklahoma. They lived in Texas until his retirement in 2006, when he returned to Northwest Oklahoma to be closer to his family.

Jim lived a full life. He loved to dance, loved to hunt and fish, loved to cook and eat. He loved spending time with his family, horse trading and telling stories. He loved his coon dogs, his bird dogs, and his cow dogs. He loved fat red cows on tall grass.

Jim is survived by his wife Catherine; sons, Steve Shirm and Lorna Potaka-Osborne; Kyle Shirm and wife Lucinda; granddaughter, Kylee Painter and husband Clayton; grandson, Austin Shirm and wife Emily; great-grandson, Axton Painter; four sisters, Lora Garrett; Ernestine Gay; Rose Ella Day; Avis Ortega; step-daughter, Merry Decker and husband Mark; and their children Sarah; John; and Hannah; as well as Michael and Tyler Golay. His numerous nieces and nephews will miss his memorable tales.

He was preceded in death by his parents, younger brother, William Ernest Shirm Jr., and older sister Barbara Shepherd.

Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Hospice with the funeral home accepting the contributions.

Remembrances may be made online at www.billingsfuneralhomewoodward.com .