Gilbert R. Shanley, Jr.

A Memorial Service honoring the life of Gilbert Reagan Shanley, Jr. will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, April 24, 2021 at St. Mark's Cathedral, 908 Rutherford Street, Shreveport, LA. A visitation will be held Friday, April 23, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall Street, Shreveport, LA. Officiating the service will be The Very Reverend Alston Johnson, Dean of St. Mark's Cathedral. The family will have a private burial service. Gilbert Reagan Shanley, Jr. was born May 31, 1932 in Sikeston, MO to Gilbert R. and Maude L. Shanley and passed away Thursday, April 15, 2021 in Shreveport, LA. Gil attended Diehlstadt High School and The University of Missouri. During college he joined Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He met and married Carol Ann Coast. He graduated and was awarded a commission as an officer in the US Air Force Reserve. After college, he joined the accounting firm of Heard, McElroy & Vestal in Shreveport. Soon called to active duty, he was sent to Tokyo, Japan where he served as an auditing officer, traveling in Japan and Korea. He was promoted to Captain, finished his tour of duty and was honorably discharged. He rejoined Heard, McElroy & Vestal, where he spent the rest of his professional life, some 65 plus years. He was active in his community and encouraged members of his firm toward community service. He served as president of Goodwill Industries, Demoiselle Club, ARK-LA-TEX Ambassadors, Holiday In Dixie, Shreveport Chapter of The American Heart Association, Shreveport-Bossier Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, and Treasurer or Board Member of numerous other civic organizations: including Southfield School, The Noel Foundation, The Willis-Knighton Health Systems, and the Caddo Syndicate. He was honored with the "Spoke" Award from the Junior Chamber of Commerce as the most active first year member. He was also named outstanding volunteer in Northwest Louisiana by The American Heart Association and was honored by the local chapter of The American Heart Association as Outstanding Volunteer of the Year. He was a member of the Rotary International. He was proud to welcome three United States Presidents to Shreveport, Richard M. Nixon, Gerald R. Ford, and Ronald W. Reagan. Active in his profession, which he loved, he served as President of the Shreveport chapter of the Louisiana Certified Public Accountants. As a member of the LCPA State Board, he was instrumental in the organization of the Initial Litigation Services Committee, which provides forensic education for CPA's who serve as witnesses in our courts. He was a member of the Louisiana Society of CPAs, the American Society of CPAs, the Tax and Estate Planning Council, the Georgia Society of CPAs, and the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts. The staff, partners, and clients of Heard McElroy & Vestal were his second family. He was dedicated to making Heard McElroy & Vestal the best company possible. He enjoyed spending time with and mentoring younger members of the firm. His enthusiasm for and love of the firm was never ending. He was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church and later St. Mark's Cathedral. At St. Paul's, he served as Vestryman, Treasurer, Chairman of Worship and Sunday School teacher. Music was important in his life. An accomplished pianist, having studied classical piano from age five until leaving for college. He accompanied a gospel quartet in high school, organized and led dance bands in college, played trumpet in The University of Missouri marching and concert bands, and was elected Vice President of the Musicians Union at The University of Missouri. His love of music ranged from western swing to great symphonies. He was a board member and patron of the Shreveport Symphony. Additional hobbies included travel, photography, scuba diving, boating and technological gadgets. He was proud that all his children and grandchildren are certified divers and they enjoyed many trips to the Caribbean to explore the wonders of the sea. He enjoyed sharing rides in his Tesla and his love of flying drones. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 42 years, Carol Coast Shanley; daughter, Barbara Coast Shanley Savoie; and son, Michael Reagan Shanley. He leaves behind his wife, Ann Pleasant Marshall Shanley; son, G. Reagan Shanley III and wife, Deidre; daughter-in-law, Sara Shanley; seven grandchildren, Michael Shanley, Jr, Stephen Shanley, Lindsay Shanley, Weston Shanley, Chris Savoie and wife, Michele, Robert Savoie and wife, Jessica, and John Savoie; seven great-grandchildren, Mary Katherine Savoie, Gabriella Savoie, Alexander Savoie, Olivia Savoie, Juliette Savoie, Henry Savoie, Anna Savoie; sister, Judith Shanley; niece, Trina Baralt; and nephews, Chris Geyer and Emery Geyer. His sense of humor, generosity, and kind spirit will be missed by family and friends. Honoring Gil as pallbearers will be Spencer Bernard, Robert Dean, John Dean, Gerry Hedgecock, Shelby Smith, Ernie Turner, Hines Vaughn, and Cody White. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be the members of Heard McElroy & Vestal. The family suggests memorials may be made to The American Heart Association, PO Box 840692 Dallas, TX 75284-0692, The Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, ATTN: Krista Gaston, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71103 or the charity of the donor's choice.