of Springfield, MO
April 29, 1934 - May 6, 2015
Hugh J. Shannon, age 81, of Springfield, Missouri, passed from this life Tuesday, May 6, 2015 at Cox Medical Center in Springfield. He was born April 29, 1934 in Marshall, Arkansas to parents Cethil and Willie Ray (Jackson) Shannon.
Mr. Shannon served in the United States Army from September 12, 1956 to June 11, 1958. He held a private pilot's license with multiple endorsements and derived great joy from a lifetime in aviation and various planes that he owned. At the time of his death, he was one of the less than 2,000 pilots in the United States having held an active license for more that 50 consecutive years. From simple beginnings, he was a self-made success in construction, real estate and banking both in the United States and Internationally. He was a member in good standing of the Freemasons for 50+ years, becoming a Master Mason in Palace Lodge No. 765 on April 6, 1961 and maintaining his service and membership throughout that time.
Mr. Shannon is preceded in death by his parents and brother, V.C. Shannon.
He is survived by his twin brother, Dewey Shannon of Waco, Texas; his daughters: Karen Shannon of Springfield, Missouri and Dena Ladd of St. Louis, Missouri; his son: Phillip Shannon and his wife, Dawn Ward, of Nixa, Missouri; and grandsons: Elliot Ladd, Collin Ladd and Dalston Ward.
Graveside funeral service for Hugh J. Shannon will be 1:30 PM Saturday, May 9, 2015 at East Lawn Cemetery in Marshall, Arkansas. Bro. Tim Reynolds will be officiating. Visitation will precede the service at Roller-Coffman Chapel in Marshall from 11:00 AM 1:00 PM. Pallbearers will be family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Missouri Cures Education Foundation, PO Box 16580, St. Louis, Missouri 63105; or to the Springfield-Greene County Library Foundation, 4653 S Campbell Ave. Springfield, Missouri 65810.
I would like to express my condolences to your family. I didnt know him but would like to thank him and you for his service to this country. I believe accprsing to the years of service he served in the Korean War. My grandfather Herschel Lasater did as well. They are the reason we have freedom. And I would just like to share my appreciation. God Bless!
May you rest in peace. We never got to spend our lives together that we (at one point) wanted but I never forgot our relationship not ever.
To the Kids: I knew Hugh for several years, worked for him for 5 years and I learned more from him in those 5 years than I had learned in a lifetime about business, about people, and the drive for success. He was truly a self made man as were his brothers. He will missed but admired for a lifetime.
Hugh was a gentleman, a patriot, and a good man. He enriched the lives of so many people and made this world a much better place. I am fortunate and proud to have had Hugh as a friend through thick and thin for over forty years.
Neil Fogle
Rest in peace, Hugh. My sincerest condolences to the family.