Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
Dana Shires Obituary
age 92, of Tampa, Florida passed away on Saturday, May 3, 2025. He spent his early years in West Virginia and Virginia before moving to Jacksonville, Florida. Upon graduation from high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1952, serving during the Korean War, afterwards continuing his education at the University of Florida where he graduated from Medical School in 1961. He continued his medical education by specializing in nephrology where he and his colleagues invented Gatorade. A pioneer in his field, Dr. Shires went on to create LifeLink foundation, an organization dedicated to patients in need of organ transplant therapy. His groundbreaking work continues to Impact lives around the world. He is survived by his loving children, Dan and his wife Sydney, Ben and his wife, Cathy; Melinda and her husband, John; Sarah and her husband, Rob; Patricia and her husband, Mitch; John and his wife Cathy; Claude and his wife, Kris, and Robert, along with 16 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. A memorial service for Dana will be held Saturday, June 7, 2025 from 11 am to 1 pm at LifeLink Foundation, 9661 Delaney Creek Blvd, Tampa, FL, 33619.
Blount & Curry Life Event Center - MacDill
View Guest Book www.tampabay.com/obits
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Dana Shires
Bill Anderson
July 31, 2025
Sorry to be in TN so missed this. A great man and better friend
Anabel Santana
June 7, 2025
My condolences to the family
It was an honor to know Dr Shires and take care of Him
Matthew Quance
May 20, 2025
MAy God Bless you and your loved ones. You brought so much to so many.
Kenneth Smiley
May 14, 2025
I'm so sorry for your loss
Richard F. Lockey
May 14, 2025
Great friend and innovative physician. We will miss him. Richard F. Lockey, M.D and Family.
Nicholas Sears MD
May 14, 2025
Dana has a special place in my heart. He welcomed me to the transplant community when I moved to Tampa to join USF COM as a cardiac transplant surgeon. We shared not only a love of medicine but a love of Skiing and Steamboat Springs CO. Dana my friend I will miss you dearly. Rest in peace
David Lubin, MD
May 14, 2025
Dana was one of my attending physicians while I was an intern at TGH in the 70's. He was compassionate and a great teacher, and certainly a top-notch nephrologist, one of group who also gave us Gatorade. Condolences to his family and friends. Just a few years ago, he signed a Gatorade bottle, which I proudly display on one of my memorabilia shelves.
Kandi Byrd
May 14, 2025
A truly remarkable man; a legend. I worked under him for many years at Lifelink, he was a great Mentor, and had true love and compassion for his patients, his family, his animals and his friends. RIP Sir and thank you for everything.
Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results
Make a Donation
in Dana Shires's name
Memorial Events
for Dana Shires
How to support Dana's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Dana Shires's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
