John Shannon's Obituary
A Man of Character
John Walter’s story began in Alma, Georgia, when Eva and Nathan Shannon's 2nd son was born at their home. The trio of Shannon boys, Nathan Jr., Walter and Frank, enjoyed many adventures growing up together in Alma and later in Florida. Nathan Sr. passed away when Walter was just seven years old. The boys quickly learned to fulfill their responsibilities of studying and doing chores around the home while their mother worked full-time to support the family.
Soon after graduating from High School, Walter joined the US Air Force. He was just nineteen and the service offered him the opportunity to experience a variety of interesting assignments during a peaceful era of American history. From his initial placement in Florida, he particularly enjoyed the time he spent in Denver, Colorado before being stationed at the McCord AF base in Tacoma, Washington in 1958.
It was at his favorite restaurant in Tacoma where he first became infatuated with a certain car hop waitress. Although Laura Weber was already dating another beau, Walt managed to arrange an introduction through common friends. He persevered until Laura finally agreed to let Walt drive her home from work. That one day led to a happy wedding day on February 19, 1959 that stretched into fifty-three years of marriage.
Many Reasons to Smile
Laura describes her husband as a happy man; an individual with a ready smile and kind words for everyone. Mostly, he was down-to-earth, nice and polite and able to strike up a conversation with any one he met. He was never judgmental; he truly appreciated all people. He thoroughly enjoyed parties and social gatherings and was a stickler for punctuality. Because of these traits, according to Laura, they were always the first people to arrive at any event and the last ones to leave.
Together, they raised three daughters: DeAnna, Terrie and Karen. The family settled into a comfortable routine punctuated by many trips and adventures during summer vacations. The girls were taught to love the outdoors and looked forward to their camping trips in the family camper, boating excursions and fishing trips on Aldridge Lake. Dad never lived down the day their seven-foot rowboat capsized in the middle of the lake under the weight of four people. Although he was extremely handy and able to fix most anything around the house, many laughs were again exchanged at his expense when he attached the handlebars backwards on his daughter’s new ten-speed bicycle. Terrie very proudly told her Kindergarten teacher that her daddy knew how to take cat naps.
When Karen was working as a travel agent in Texas, Walter would go into her old bedroom at home and have a heart to heart talks with her. He missed her so much,
Family members hold fond memories of their bi-annual trips to Florida to visit Walter’s mother and brothers during summer vacations. They drove from one ocean to the other every other year, making a tradition of seeking out the most unlikely diners and Mom & Pop restaurants along the way to inject variety and interest into their travel tales. Walt could never resist a Roadside stand for fruits and vegetables and would happily detour to experience local fare.
A Proud Dad and even Prouder Papa
Walt served in the Air Force for almost five years, and spent another five years working with aircraft at Boeing. He then worked for many years in the Shipyards and at submarine base Bangor repairing nuclear subs. Socially, he enjoyed being a member of the International Order of Foresters and was thrilled to be the President of the PTA when his girls were in elementary school. He loved his daughters dearly, but he was pleased when the time finally came to welcome another man, his son-in-law, Allen, into the family. Together, they worked on their cars and made an annual pilgrimage to the Portland Auto Show. Walt was passionate about his cars: the El Camino, the Chevy Caprice, and especially, his classic Ford Mustang.
He could not have been more proud when his grandchildren arrived. Craig, Joshua and Kevin could do no wrong and Walt was devoted to their happiness and well-being. He attended all of their sports activities and celebrated their achievements. Nothing could get in the way of their Friday overnight stay in the motor home frequenting their favorite restaurants, Arby’s at the top of the list. Saturday mornings, the boys and papa would go on an adventure to Game Stop, garage sales, the park or where ever their hearts desired. Papa was always onboard with their ideas. Together, they continued the tradition of camping whenever possible at local campgrounds. Papa would take them bike riding and prepare his famous camping meals of ham and mac ‘n cheese. He even hooked up a television set in the camper so the boys could enjoy their videos and morning cartoons.
The Original Social Networker
Walt did not need the internet to make connections. He could sit down beside a stranger and within a few minutes, they’d be chatting like old friends and discovering their six degrees of separation. He always found common ground and shared interests. He was well known and well liked in his community for his friendly, outgoing character and ready smile.
As much as he enjoyed talking, he enjoyed helping other people in every way he could. He was a regular drop-in neighbor and popular visitor. He was raised as a Southern Baptist and lived by the Golden Rule. When not out in the neighborhood, he could be found tending his garden, harvesting his tomatoes, string beans and raspberries. (Although the raspberries rarely made it to the rest of the family; they were most often consumed directly from his basket.)
Walt and Laura created meaningful family traditions that will definitely be carried on throughout the years: The official annual Santa brunch, buttermilk pancakes for Christmas breakfast and the Apple Squeeze Festival in the fall. He loved his wife’s cooking and especially enjoyed his favorite ham meals on Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. The entire family joined the celebration of their Golden Wedding Anniversary in Hawaii in 2009.
Walt truly made the most of everything he had. His life revolved around his family and he shared the most precious asset – his time – with his loved ones. After so many years of love, companionship and conversation, no one welcomes the silence. Laura, her daughters brother-in-law and grandsons, along with Walter’s brothers, all miss him dearly. A light here on earth was extinguished along with his final smile.
What’s your fondest memory of John?
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