James Michael Shea, M.D.
Jun 6th, 1954 - Jan 3rd, 2021- Birth Date: Jun 6, 1954
- Death Date: Jan 3, 2021
- Funeral Date: Jan 8, 2021 at 5:00 pm
- Location: The time and date stated is for a visitation at Ruebel Funeral Home.
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Biography: James Michael Shea, MD, passed away Sunday, January 3, 2021.
He was born June 26, 1954, in Little Rock and was affectionately known as “Jimmy”. A Catholic High School alumnus, he graduated from the UAMS College of Medicine in 1984, where he received the Winston Shorey Award for Outstanding Humanitarian Care.
Jimmy practiced psychiatry for many years at the Little Rock Community Mental Health Center and in later years, worked with the Veterans Administration, serving in many locales including El Paso, TX, Memphis, TN, and Springfield, MO and closer to home in Jonesboro and Fayetteville. In 1999, Dr. Shea received an award as Arkansas Mental Health Practitioner of the Year.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Gertrude Shea (nee Finkbeiner), and is survived by many cousins and loved ones. He was cherished by many and was a great source of pride for his parents.
A longtime parishioner of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Little Rock, his faith was the central component of his kind heart and care for others, particularly those less fortunate.
A visitation will be held at the Ruebel Funeral Home on Friday, January 8 from 5-7pm with necessary COVID precautions observed. He will be interred privately at Calvary Cemetery.
Condolences(30)
Bll Donnelly
#30
Dec 30th, 2023 9:21 am
I did not know Jimmy had passed, I'm sorry I didn't see him before it happened. We went through Our Lady of Good Counsel and Catholic High Scool for Boys together. Jimmy was a kind, intelligent and faithful person. My condolences to those who are without him. He is surely missed.
Lucinda Ben-Avi (Gaura)
#29
Oct 31st, 2023 5:30 pm
Rest in peace and joy old friend
Lucinda Ben-Avi (Gaura)
#28
Oct 31st, 2023 5:29 pm
Rest in peace and joy old friend
Michelle Rosamond
#27
Apr 4th, 2023 11:57 am
I just decided to look up Dr. Shea to find his address and connect with him after several years. I was saddened to find that he has passed away. I worked with this wonderful man at the Memphis VA. He was so kind and a gentle soul. He was always willing to help out a patient and staff. When he retired and moved back to Little Rock, he was so missed. I know this note if very late but wanted to still pass on my condolences. I look forward to the time I will see him again in heaven!
Alfred Rossum, M.D.
#26
Feb 4th, 2021 11:01 pm
James was my friend throughout medical school and afterwards. He was a gentle man driven by a beautiful soul. I shall miss you my friend.
Ruth Thomas
#25
Jan 14th, 2021 8:46 am
I have not seen Jimmy in since medical school, but remember him as a very kind and caring person. My condolences to his family.
Associated Plumbers
#24
Jan 10th, 2021 11:26 am
To the family and friend of Jimmy please accept our condolences.
I have known Jimmy since high school and had worked for his parents and also for him.. In fact we were just at his house doing work just before New Years.
God Bless.
I have known Jimmy since high school and had worked for his parents and also for him.. In fact we were just at his house doing work just before New Years.
God Bless.
Doziers family
#23
Jan 8th, 2021 9:18 pm
Dr. Shea was my mother's doctor for many many years. He was always so patient, caring and loving to her even when I did not understand why. He was an angel to my family and I am so grateful to have been in his presence. Rest on Doc! We love you!
Sandy (Finkbeiner) Roycraft
#22
Jan 8th, 2021 7:11 pm
When I was four years old, more than 50 years ago, Jimmy was my Sunday school teacher at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. He was also a distant relative on my father’s side. I still remember how much I loved seeing him on Sundays and how kind he was to all of us little kids. My mom says I would come home every Sunday saying, “Jimmy Shea said this or that!” I thought his name was Jimmy Shea, all one word! Of course we knew his parents, too, and he was the light of their lives. My thoughts and prayers are with all who mourn the loss of this kind and compassionate man.
Frank Borden
#21
Jan 8th, 2021 2:17 pm
Jim, who I knew as Jimmy was a kind & holy soul. We would walk to Good Counsel school and then we attended CHS. I always thought Jimmy would become a priest and it sounds like he did answer the call to serve and remained the kind person I knew in school. I know he will be missed by his family and those he served and worked with. May he Rest In Peace.
Fr. Frederick
#20
Jan 8th, 2021 12:15 pm
Jimmy was a good ,gentle, holy and humble man. May his prayers help the rest of us.
Wanda Wiley Williams
#19
Jan 8th, 2021 11:04 am
I had the pleasure of working with Dr Shea for many years at LRCMHC. He was not only a co-worker, he was my friend! He was a very positive, loving man. Dr Shea tried to find good in every situation. He was a shy man but he was a caring man. In his tenure as a psychiatrist, his concern and love for his clients went above and beyond the call of duty and his clients love for him was undeniable. I will never forget you Dr Shea and I am grateful for the time I had with you on this earth. Rest in eternal peace Dr Shea. I will miss you.
Richard Owings
#18
Jan 8th, 2021 8:49 am
I'm saddened by James' death. I was a classmate of his in the UAMS class of '84 and a fellow psychiatrist. James was a kind gentle man, unfailingly pleasant, and a servant to his patients.
Debbie Jones
#17
Jan 8th, 2021 1:30 am
Jimmy & I were in grade school at Good Counsel. He was in my dad’s Boy Scout Troop. I was at a high school party and the person I went with was drinking. I spotted Jimmy in the crowd and asked him if he would mind taking me home. He didn’t hesitate and walked me up to my door. Every time I ran into him through the years, I still thanked him for his kindness. I’ll miss bumping into him at the grocery store. RIP Jim.
Eva Adamson
#16
Jan 7th, 2021 8:21 pm
I worked with Dr. Shea for several years at LRCMHC. He was one of the most compassionate physicians I've ever met. Those of us who knew him knew he was a numbers man. He would come to the record room to request one of his patients records and rarely would I have to look the number up because he knew most of them by heart! He was a sweet, kind, grateful and humble man that gave much of himself. Dr. Shea chose to do for those in need and never ever spoke of it. We all could take a lesson or two from the way he found joy in giving to others. He was such a blessing to know and work with. I miss you my dear friend.
Grier Bennett
#15
Jan 7th, 2021 3:01 pm
I had the opportunity to get to know Dr. Shea just over the last few months as a representative of UAMS, and even in such a short time, he made a tremendous impact on me. He was truly a kind individual, who I could tell had such a generous spirit. Wishing his family all the best!
Anne Mancino
#14
Jan 7th, 2021 2:08 pm
I have known Jimmy since my teens when we were neighbors and then was reunited with him when we were medical school classmates. He has always been one of the sweetest, most thoughtful men that I have ever met. I was proud to call him my friend and so pleased when he would return from one of his jobs and we could catch up. The world will miss him but I am sure he is already busy taking care of others in heaven.
Mary Paal
#13
Jan 7th, 2021 11:14 am
I worked with Dr. Shea at the LR Community Mental Health Center. His quiet compassion and kindness added a spark to the darkness -
Catherine Lamb
#12
Jan 7th, 2021 12:24 am
I worked with Dr Shea for two years at LR Community Mental Health Center. He always greeted me with a smile and kind word. Not everyone there seemed to really respect our consumers, but Dr Shea always treated them with compassion and respect. He was a truly kind and empathic individual, and this world will be a sadder place without him. My prayers are being said for family member and may your faith sustain you.
veronica goodloe
#11
Jan 6th, 2021 6:21 pm
Dr, Shea was a gifted angel whose professionalism and competence had far reaching significance for clients, families and staff. The world is a better place because of him and his dedication to treating those with serious mental illnesses. I enjoyed every minute of working with him for years at the Little Rock Community Mental Health Center. Condolences to his family and friends.
Tom Clement
#10
Jan 6th, 2021 5:00 pm
Jimmy was a kind and holy man. I got to know Jimmy many years ago in the Boy Scouts. Even as a youth you could see his parents were so proud of Jimmy and they had every reason.
James Heim
#9
Jan 6th, 2021 1:03 pm
A kind and generous man
Bo Plyler
#8
Jan 6th, 2021 12:45 pm
To the family of Dr. Shea,
As a sales representative, I had the privilege of calling on Dr. Shea for a number of years while he practiced at LRCMHC. Dr. Shea had an incredible memory for dates and events and it always a pleasure to visit him. He was a true advocate for his patients and a very compassionate man. I had not seen him for several years, but had the good fortune to encounter him last year outside an office building. We had a nice visit and got to catch up on the past. My thoughts and prayers are for your peace and comfort.
As a sales representative, I had the privilege of calling on Dr. Shea for a number of years while he practiced at LRCMHC. Dr. Shea had an incredible memory for dates and events and it always a pleasure to visit him. He was a true advocate for his patients and a very compassionate man. I had not seen him for several years, but had the good fortune to encounter him last year outside an office building. We had a nice visit and got to catch up on the past. My thoughts and prayers are for your peace and comfort.
Kim Cook
#7
Jan 6th, 2021 12:31 pm
Dr Shea was genuinely kind, caring, and had a brilliant memory for details of his patients’ history and response to treatments. He will be missed in our community.
Judy Garrett
#6
Jan 6th, 2021 11:04 am
I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Shea at Little Rock Community Mental Health Center many years ago. He was a very kind and compassionate man. He will be greatly missed by his associates and of course his patients. My sincere condolences to his loved ones.
Graham Mack Reid MD
#5
Jan 6th, 2021 10:54 am
I had the Honor and Privilege to actually work beside Jim twice in my career. VAMC in NLR, and again in VA Fayetteville were many years apart, but both incredibly rewarding. I know of no person more positive and supportive to others than Jim. He was a VERY GOOD Physician and Psychiatrist. He certainly was a dear friend to me. We all could be more like Jim, in so many ways. He definitely can be said to have had a Life Well Lived!
Donna Byrd
#4
Jan 6th, 2021 10:46 am
Dr. Shea was such a wonderful person. Kind hearted. The nicest person you could ever meet. We worked together at Mental Health Center for many many years. He was always faithful and supportive. He always remembered my birthday (even when I wanted to forget it!) What a wonderful person. He will be missed by so many and always remembered for the special person he was. God speed my dear friend.
Charley & Rebecca Sullivan
#3
Jan 6th, 2021 8:32 am
Jimmy was a kind, caring, and gentle soul. Our "re-connection" with him at Good Counsel these past few years was a joy. He loved driving the Church bus on Saturday evenings for the ladies at Good Shepherd, even if it did make him a bit nervous! God bless him; and may he rest in peace.
Charley & Rebecca Sullivan
Charley & Rebecca Sullivan
Carla Owens
#2
Jan 6th, 2021 7:04 am
Heaven definitely received a sweet sweet angel! I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Shea for close to 10 years at the LR Community Mental Health Center and he was loved by all, co-workers and patients.
Evans family
#1
Jan 6th, 2021 3:48 am
Our sincere condolences to the family on the loss of your love one. May the God of comfort be with you during this time occasion. and may his loving words console your hearts. Thinking of you all.