Jeffrey Joel Shea's Obituary
Jeffrey Joel Shea, 64, of Memphis, TN, passed away on November 25, 2025, following a courageous battle with glioblastoma. A life-long Memphian, Jeffrey was born at Baptist Memorial Hospital on October 16, 1961, to Martin “Coyle” Shea Jr. and Claudia Snider Shea. He attended St. Dominic School and later graduated from Christian Brothers High School as a proud, fourth-generation Brothers’ Boy. He then went on to Christian Brothers University, earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
He began his career at Treace Medical in otologic innovations and spent 35 years at Smith & Nephew as a Product Development Engineer, utilizing his expertise in medical devices to design artificial hip prostheses that improved the lives of countless individuals. He achieved a number of unique developments in the field, becoming a named inventor on 44 issued patents over the course of his career.
Jeff will be remembered by those who had the pleasure of knowing him as a kind and humble man of incredible faith. During his illness, he found hope and solace in the immense faith in Jesus Christ he had cultivated over the last several decades. He was a dedicated member of Christ Covenant Reformed Church and happily served on the parking lot committee through all kinds of weather.
Ever the family man, his greatest achievement is the life that he built with his beloved wife of 34.5 years, Marcia, and their three children. There was nowhere he’d rather be than cheering from the stands at a track meet, watching from the audience of a school play, or more recently, bragging to whomever would listen about the latest professional happenings of the Shea children. Their cabin in Bear Creek on Pickwick Lake was not only his favorite place, but also an extension of this devotion to family life. Every possible weekend, he could be found on the pontoon, beer in hand, gleefully pointing out the Tennessee River and Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway to anyone within earshot.
Jeffrey was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Melinda Shea. He leaves behind: his wife, Marcia Bals Shea; children, Dr. Aidan Shea (Casey Goodwin), Claire Shea, and Michael Shea; one grandson, Henry Coyle Goodwin; siblings, Martin Coyle “Marc” Shea III, Madeline Thurmond (Glenn), Alison Barger (Keith), Rachel Gabrielleschi (Gabe), Erin Spessard (Bo), and Neil Shea (Dawn Ferreira); and stepmother, Trina McKeithen Shea; plus numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Jeffrey’s medical teams at the Semmes Murphey Clinic, West Cancer Center, and Duke University Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, who oversaw his treatment for the last 13 months.
There will be a visitation at Memorial Park Funeral Home on Thursday, December 4 from 5–7 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 5 at First Evangelical Church, with visitation beforehand at 10 a.m. A private burial will immediately follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke (https://tischbraintumorcenter.duke.edu/waystogive)
What’s your fondest memory of Jeffrey?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jeffrey?
Share a story where Jeffrey's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jeffrey you’ll never forget.
How did Jeffrey make you smile?
