Jimmy Shirley

Hon. Jimmy "Jim" C. Shirley
March 27, 1967 - October 15, 2025
Jimmy Charles Shirley was born March 27, 1967, in Pioche, Nevada to Ernest Shirley and Charleen Kay Self. Jim was a devoted member of the LDS church and served diligently in many callings. He called Lovelock, Nevada his home for many years as he served as first the District Attorney and then a District Court Judge. All who knew him, knew of his giving and kind nature. He loved to laugh and joke; his presence will be deeply missed. His pride and joy were his sons and their wives. He quickly adopted his sons' families as if they were his own family. He lived to see and play with his granddaughter and watch her grow.

Jim is survived by many family members who loved him dearly, including his sons Scot (Gabriela) Shirley, Robert Shirley, Jameson (Mika) Shirley, and Ben (Alyssa) Shirley; his granddaughter Catalina Shirley; his mother Charleen Kay Self; and his siblings Russel (Cathy) Caldwell, Scott (Annette) Caldwell, Debbie (Paul) Francis, and Colleen (Mike) Staheli. He is preceded in death by his father Ernest Shirley, his eternal father Leonard Self, and his brother Wayne Caldwell.

Many who knew Jim knew him as Judge Shirley, who served with distinction as District Court Judge for Nevada's Eleventh Judicial District, which includes Lander, Mineral, and Pershing Counties. His judicial career reflected a lifelong commitment to fairness, integrity, and public service, qualities that earned him the trust of both his colleagues and the communities he served. Raised in Vernal, Utah, Jim graduated from Uintah High School, studied Spanish at Brigham Young University, and pursued general studies at Utah State University before earning his Juris Doctorate from Creighton University School of Law in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1994. After several years in private practice, he moved to Lovelock, Nevada, where he began his long career in public service. He joined the Pershing County District Attorney's Office as Deputy District Attorney in 2000 and was elected District Attorney in 2002. During his tenure, he developed programs that supported local merchants and citizens while easing the burden on the courts. He also served as a special prosecutor in Churchill, Humboldt, and Lander Counties and was active in both the Nevada and National District Attorneys Associations. He later continued his service in the newly formed Eleventh Judicial District, where he remained until his passing. He presided over both civil and criminal cases and was known for his compassion, patience, and meticulous understanding of the law.

Not only was Jim loved by family and friends, but he was also highly respected by Nevada's legal community. In a statement recognizing his service, Nevada Supreme Court Chief Justice Douglas Herndon said, "Judge Shirley was a pillar of our judicial community, but more than that, he was a true gentleman and a wonderful friend to so many of us who were privileged to know him. He deeply loved Nevada, and his wisdom, compassion, and dedication touched countless lives. He will be profoundly missed."

Friends and neighbors remembered Judge Shirley at a gathering in Lovelock on Saturday, October 18, where stories of his humor, kindness, and quiet strength were shared. He made his home in Lovelock, Nevada, where he cherished the rural lifestyle and the people he served. His life and work stand as a testament to the values of service, family, and faith that defined him.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 10 a.m. (Mountain Time) at the Jensen LDS Chapel, 8775 East 6000 South, Jensen, Utah. Interment will follow at Vernal Memorial Park, 1700 South Vernal Avenue, Vernal, Utah.

Services under the direction of the Phillips Ashley Valley Funeral Home.