Shearle Lee Furnish, PhD

Dr. Shearle Lee Furnish was born in Denver, CO, March 30, 1953, and passed away October 16, 2025. He grew up in Cynthiana, KY, and after college in Lexington, he described himself as an “academic nomad” since a life in academics often requires several relocations. He loved the adventure of living first in Texas, then Ohio, and, finally, Arkansas, where he retired in Little Rock.

Shearle was a National Merit Scholar, and a member of Phi Kappa Phi and the Society for the Study of Medieval Literature. He received a master’s degree in 1978, and doctorate in 1984 in English literature from the University of Kentucky in Lexington, and a bachelor’s degree in 1975 in English literature from Transylvania University in Lexington.

He was head of the English department at West Texas A & M University, Canyon; and taught there for seventeen years. In 2005, he accepted the position of Founding Dean at Youngstown State University in Ohio. In 2014, he accepted a position as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas, Little Rock.

Shearle always knew he wanted to be a professor, and sought that career. But, his other dream was to be an organic truck farmer. In retirement, he was able to semi-fulfill that dream, too. He was an expert gardener. He expanded his garden after retirement and made it his new full time occupation He was also an avid birder, especially gifted at identifying bird calls.

Shearle was very devoted to his family, whether near or far. He will be missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur and Ruth Furnish, and a beloved paternal aunt, Ruth Furnish.

He leaves his wife of 28 years, Carolyn Beck Furnish; his sister Kathy Crouch (Joe); and nieces, Martha Crouch; and Susannah Crouch Auld (Justin); and grand niece, Riley Auld.

In lieu of flowers, Shearle’s wish was for donations in his name to Nature Conservancy.

Arrangements by Arkansas Cremation, 10515 W Markham St, Suite B1, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205. If you would like to leave a message of condolence to the family, you may do so using the Guestbook section.

www.arkansascremation.com