Maybe gone but not forgotten - Tom Shirley

[gladesman]

http://youtu.be/gzOrwaYKUyA

[MarshRider]

he was one of a kind and his book is a great read
Miss him and Naomi
bonnie

[glades cat]

Conservation had a whole different meaning back then. Those Game and Freshwater Commission officers had their heart into it and understood the hands-on approach to conservation. Tom Shirley was the real deal.
That's a whole lot different than just stopping air boaters and checking for documents and mufflers nowadays.

[OLD MAN JONES]

Thank you Frank.

Tom Shirley, was and always will be GFC's finest officer. No one can claim they love the Everglades anymore than he did. Tom gave his life to exploring and protecting one of the greatest of God's creation. He will always be my hero.

[flcracker9]

Never got to meet him, too bad we don't have many more like him. Awesome video too!

[gladesman]

Wow - what a cowboy he was on an airboat - he was lucky to survive his younger days.

I thought I had gonads when running an airboat until seeing him do the gainer back flip dismount off of his.

Gladesman

[Crazy Frog]

Thanks for sharing a great video! My dad and uncle participated in some of those animal rescues. In my eyes a good majority of those Gladesmen from that era are true heroes.

[hdsadey]

Oughta show this video to all the a-holes that are up in Tallahassee passing all the restrictions on airboats in the Glades. This shows that we all genuinely care about the health of the Glades and are not out to destroy them. It's government that has lead to the decline of the quality of the swamp by allowing roads and canals cut through. Big business and politicians are to blame, not a bunch of country folk sliding around on airboats!!!! That's my 02 cents.

[scottyroll]

I found that old video quite remarkable.
He truly was a great friend to the everglades

[Gary S]

The Game and Freshwater fish guys were totally separated from the saltwater side. They had a smaller budget,were paid less than the salt water guys. And had more trouble getting repairs to equipment.

[timmmyy]

Yes , Tom was one of the nicest officers out in the glades, I think Tom lived off of SR84 next to the 7 11 store

[white boy]

Nope sw ranches

[flcracker9]

Just got the book yesterday (Amazon), looking forward to a great read.

[aherr520]

my dad knew him and thought highly of him he said Tom would stop by the camp for lunch or dinner sometimes. My dad told me how those guys would race out there to see just how fast that fwc boat was lol I think one had a cont.470

[mississippi wade]

My father Leonard Bergeron knew him very good and always talked of him as a friend

[mississippi wade]

My father Leonard Bergeron knew him very good and always talked of him as a friend

[mississippi wade]

My father Leonard Bergeron knew him very good and always talked of him as a friend

[glades cat]

Was thinking of Tom Shirley during this high water period. I remember his speaking at a public hearing in Broward a few years ago on this very same topic. The discussion was area 3A north water flow project and how they were going to raise water levels there, fill in the Miami Canal and restore sheet flow. He spoke up and gave those ecologists an education on the Glades and how water levels critically influence the Glades. What a wealth of knowledge and experience he had.

[wilemotorsports]

On behalf Of the Shirley family I would like toThank you for all The nice comments about my father the best way to describe Tom is that he was a Wildlife officer first and a Conservationist second he didnt care if you didn't have your Boat whistle or the proper location of your fl numbers or an anker under your deck exct. But if you were taking wild life Illegally Sooner or later Tom would get you Thanks again everyone. sign Tommy Shirley JR.