Jon Shirek Obituary-Death News; Jon Shirek, 1Alive Reporter, Passed Away after Battling Brain Cancer
11Alive is mourning the loss of a beloved and legendary figure in its newsroom, veteran reporter Jon Shirek, who passed away after a courageous battle with brain cancer.
Shirek, who retired just over a year ago in February 2024, dedicated more than 40 years of his life to journalism, with the majority of his career spent at WXIA. His legacy as one of Atlanta’s finest reporters and his deep commitment to his craft left an indelible mark on the station and the community he served.
Shirek’s career began long before he became a household name in Atlanta. A graduate of the University of Florida in Gainesville, he started his journalism journey at The Independent Florida Alligator newspaper and worked at WRUF-AM and WTLV-TV in Jacksonville.
However, it was in 1980 when he joined WXIA (11Alive), where he would go on to shape his career and become one of the most respected figures in Atlanta journalism. His unwavering dedication to telling stories that mattered to the people of Georgia made him a staple at the station for over four decades.
Throughout his career, Shirek became renowned not only for his ability to cover major stories but also for his ability to capture the heart and soul of every story he told, whether big or small.
