Obituary of Sinclair Shires

Age 87, of Mt. Morris died Tuesday, December 27, 2016, at McLaren-Flint. The funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm, Friday, December 30, 2016, at Martin Funeral, Cremation & Tribute Services-Mt. Morris. Pastor Jim Salo will officiate with burial to follow at Flint Memorial Park Cemetery. Sinclair’s family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, from 11:00 am until time of service. Those desiring may consider memorial contributions to the Genesee County Humane Society. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Sinclair was born July, 4, 1929, in Iron Station, North Carolina, to Charles and Betty (Smith) Shires. He and Mary Jo Arnett were united in marriage on June 16, 1949. Sadly, Mary preceded him in death on March 14, 2007. Sinclair and Mary lived in North Carolina until they moved to Michigan in December of 1954, where they spent the rest of their lives. He began working for General Motors and worked several different positions until retiring as a Skilled Tradesman after 43 years. He enjoyed spending time with his family and took them on many trips around the United States. He was honest, fair, and a good man and gave generously to several charities. Sinclair was very active and had many hobbies, which included riding three wheelers, boating, camping and racing snowmobiles, which he won many trophies for. He collected coins and belonged to the Treasure Club and charted old ghost towns searching for old artifacts and old bottles. Sinclair even tried panning for gold. He participated in Back to the Bricks in Flint and had an eye for antique cars, he owned a 1923 Ford Model T. Sinclair was sort of an inventor, he built his own mud shoes to walk in Kearsley Lake when it was drained and even built a motorized surf board. Later in life he started metal detecting and became of member of the organization. In his more recent years Sinclair would spend his free times watching Fox news around the clock and would watch Westerns and listen to country music. Left to cherish his memory are children: Judy Rabanal and Manny, Tommy and Nancy K. Shires, Crystal Lamberson, Nancy and Dennis Mizell, Peggy Moore and Glen Shires; grandchildren: Jason (Jody), Kim (Scott), Cassie (Jason), Cynthia (Joe), Christie (Tim), Denny (Rebecca) and Christoper; great-grandchildren: Travis, Kobe, Jacob, Elliot, Ally, Jackie, Lucas, Nolan and Ethan; and many other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Mary and son-in-law, Thomas