Obituary of John Irvin Shannon

John Irvin Shannon, 82, resident of Olympia, died peacefully in Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, Washington on Monday, January 13, 2020. John was born in McIntosh, Minnesota, to Albert Oscar and Bella (Twedt) Shannon. He earned his BA from St. Cloud University and his MA from University of North Dakota, finally earning his PhD from Pacific Western University in Community Development.

John started his working career teaching high school science, first in Minnesota and then in Athabasca, Alberta, Canada, transitioning finally into Community Development work in northern Alberta. Even after retirement, John remained active and was welcomed as a member of the Elma Mini Storage staff and enjoyed participating in the growth of their company.

On December 28, 1960, John married Phyllis Evelyn Reuss of Benson, Minnesota. They lived in Minnesota for eight years before moving to Canada for 25 years, then to Salem, Oregon for five years, and eventually making their way to Elma in 1999.  Once there, John and Phyllis were embraced by the Faith Lutheran Church community. John served on the council and volunteered for many church activities.

John is survived by his current partner, Delores Allen; and two of his three children, Stacey (Sue Wells) and Michael (Louise Hodder); four grandchildren, Amy and Taylor Wesolowsky of Edson, Alberta, Canada, and Lauren and Caleb Shannon of Queensland, Australia.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis Shannon; his daughter, Terry Beth Wesolowsky; son-in-law, Brian Wesolowsky; his parents; brother, Glenn Shannon; and sister, Gloris Friedrichs.

John Shannon straddled two centuries.  He read the daily newspaper but he also used Facebook.  He banked online but could use a slide rule. He had a Smartphone but he could pick out constellations in the night sky.  He loved football, hunting, clamming, vegetable gardening and travelling.  Above all, John loved flaunting his good luck at any of the casinos around the world that he chose to visit. The last five years, he struggled with health issues, eventually choosing an innovative surgical therapy.  Although this granted him an extra six months, he eventually succumbed to other complications.  He lived a good life and we will miss him terribly.

The family suggests donations be made to the Maintenance Fund of Faith Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 538, Elma, WA 98541, or to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, Tom Baker/Cross Cancer Centre in memory of Terry Beth.