Michael "Big Mike" Alan Shirk

IRMO—The funeral service honoring the Life of Michael Alan “Big Mike” Shirk, 34, will be held Saturday, October 13, 2018 at Christian Life Church, 2700 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC 29210 at 2:00 p.m. The Reverend Stephen Chitty will officiate.The visitation will be in the main sanctuary from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Michael was born in Nashville, TN on July 3, 1984 and passed away on Sunday October 7, 2018 due to injuries from a motorcycle accident.He is the son of Donald Roy Shirk and Patricia Mann Shirk.“Big Mike” is a 2002 graduate of Richland Northeast High School where he participated in JROTC and played football for the Cavaliers. Mike had little interest in normal; he aimed for awesome. Ready with a quick smile and easy laugh, he had a sharp wit and a wicked sense of humor. His creative endeavors include woodworking, sketching tattoo designs, painting, and bedazzling shoes. He was a skilled chef and a master at the grill.Most of all, he loved to play music, especially in worship. However, Big Mike’s biggest investment was in people. His favorite place on earth is Bethel Christian Camp where he spent several summers working as a counselor. He took every opportunity he could to chaperon Special Olympics field trips with the students at Airport High School. He strove to be a man of integrity, choosing to do the right thing, even when it hurt. And he loved his friends, his community, his family fiercely. His bear hugs were legendary. Survivors include his parents; father, Donald “Roy” Shirk and mother, Patricia Mann of the home; sister, Nicole Shirk of Columbia; brother, Nathan Shirk (Kimberly) of Columbia; 4 nieces and a nephew, as well as his milk snake, Edward Teach, II. In lieu of flowers, the Shirk Family asks memorials in Big Mike’s name be made to Bethel Christian Camp, 750 Boy Scout Road, Gaston, SC 29053 or Special Olympics of SC, 109 Oak Park Drive, Irmo, SC 29063.