Herman Rudolph Shirah Jr.

Herman Rudolph (Rudy) Shirah, Jr., 71, died Thursday, January 9, 2025 surrounded by his friends at Memorial Health Medical Center after a long battle with COPD.
The lifelong resident of Savannah was born on January 5, 1954 to the late Herman Rudolph Shirah, Sr. and Nell Elizabeth Deloach Shirah. Rudy graduated in 1973 from Savannah Christian School and attended Georgia Southern College before realizing the hospitality industry was his calling. He was a proud bar owner for 50 years. Rudy started his entrepreneurship with BJ's Lounge in 1976 and then opened his pride and joy, The Islander on Wilmington Island in 2002. The bar business is where he met and entertained all his lifelong friends. He would do anything to help anyone in their time of need. He and his sister, Kimberly, grew up worshipping in the Faith Lutheran Church, and Rudy was a member of the Masonic Order of the DeMolay International for Boys.
Rudy had a lot of hobbies; some were typical, and others were not. He had an immense love for Unique and Antique cars and received many awards for them at Car Shows around the Lowcountry. He could keep people laughing with his love for inappropriate jokes and unique collectibles. Animals were his true love in life with Doberman's taking the main stage. He was an immense lover of music, and he showcased that by having his favorites perform at The Islander. If everyone was having a good time, Rudy was too!
Surviving are his sister, Kimberly Shirah Fowler (Terry); nephews, Ryan "Smitty" Fowler (Cindy), and Justin "Hubcap" Fowler (Kate); great-nieces, Trinity Fowler, Kayla Fowler, and Preslee Ferbert; great-nephews, Chase Fowler, Evan Fowler, and Piercen Ferbert; two cousins, Karl and Ken Martin; and his best friends, Misty Ferbert (Jarrid) and Tripp Morales.
In addition to his parents, Rudy was predeceased by a niece, Erin "Denise" Shirah Elizabeth Fowler.
A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Islands Chapel.
Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at Wilmington Island Methodist Church with Rev. Doug Walker officiating. Burial will follow in Bonaventure Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make all donations to ASPCA or Friedrich's Ataxia Research Alliance.
"Last Call".