Gerald Arthur Shannon, Jr.

Born, Sept. 15, 1931, loving father, devoted husband, trusted businessman, and loyal friend, Jerry Shannon passed into the next realm from his Edmonds home, on January 18th, at age 79, the love of his wife and family sending him on his way.Though now gone from this earth, his quick, melodic laugh and easy hang-tooth smile, his rose-kissed cheeks and diamond-glinted eyes will be long-remembered by anyone he met, but especially those he fought for hardest, and those for whom his playful nature was directed.Fishing, boating, golf, poker, trivia, or a heaping plate of spaghetti - anything that would help surround him with his family or friends was his truest passion and greatest happiness.Born in Seattle to Gerald Arthur Shannon, Sr. and Martha Cutler Shannon, Jerry was the adored little brother of his siblings, sister Molly and brother Bill. Jerry attended Laurelhurst Elementary, Lakeside and Roosevelt High Schools (Class of 49), and the University of Washington. He entered the Air Force in 1951 serving as a radar mechanic at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, Lowry AFB in Denver, and McChord AFB in Tacoma.Honorably discharged in 1955, he was reunited with an old acquaintance, the lovely and vibrant Angela Peterson, who won his heart, and whom he married in 1956. Their first two children, Susan and Kevin were born into their first house on Seattles Phinney Ridge, then, while expecting again they moved to the Richmond Beach area. Once third child Jeff was born and began walking around they moved one last time, finding their dream home in Edmonds Seaview neighborhood.Like many families in the Seattle areas Boeing-bust era, the family had its downs and ups, but through it all there could never have been a more diligent and devoted provider. Jerry was a consummate Dad, who rarely, if ever, missed a Little League game, school function, or riding lesson, and was wholly dedicated to his family. With his family and friends, he enjoyed boating, and camping and long car rides that seemed to defy the need for sleep. The Shannon family spent many weeks staying at and travelling around Orcas and Whidbey Islands, and the rest of the San Juans, as well as the Grays Harbor area and British Columbia. He instilled in each of his children a great love of the Puget Sound region.He dearly loved his friends, old and new, with whom he would share jokes and true or tall tales while playing golf, poker, or going fishing. Monthly Friday poker nights were legendary affairs (and should continue to be, he wished) the players invading the location of the month like Huns. Best to get out of the way, and then move back in when they had gone. Last hand was usually dealt as the earliest birds began chirping outside, and next day it would be best to tiptoe about the house. While playing golf, Jerry would curse a months quota in an afternoon, and then talk at length about what a great time he had, and about the one or two great shots hed hit that day.In business, Jerry worked hard, as George Bailey did in the film Its a Wonde Life, to fight for the little guy, to assist people in their own search for their American dream. (He liked to tell how he loaned money to one of the original members of The Ventures to buy his breakthrough guitar, for example.) He worked for Greenwood Finance Company, Queen City Savings Loan, Westside Federal Savings, among others. He was always proud of his work in the loan industry and, even though the industry later collapsed around him, he soldiered on with his own company, the Mobile-Land Mortgage Company.Jerry also fought tooth and nail in business and in the courts to protect the underdog. He helped fight for the Equal Credit for Women law in Washington State and for unfair taxation on Social Security benefits. Ever a fiscal conservative, the Republican Party lost a good man when they went into the union busting and banking deregulation business during the Reagan era.Jerry was tireless in the face of adversity. After his and Angelas son Jeffs spinal cord injury and paralysis in 1979, Jerry rallied to raise money for the Spinal Cord Societys quest to support research funding, and worked doubly hard to assure Jeff could have all the opportunities that he would have had before his accident, and more.Jerrys wife Angela was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1987, and Jerry took her role as a principal and, later, backup caregiver to Jeff, as well as to Angela herself. When Angela passed away in 1988, Jerry and Jeff leaned on each other more than ever. The entire family grieved her loss, a loss felt most keenly by Jerry, who had in many ways lost his anchor, his rock and his foundation.Love bloomed bright again for Jerry two years later, as he came to know and love his second wife Sharon Dowdy. With Sharon he rediscovered life as a part of a huge extended family of Dowdys and came to love them all. Frequent family gatherings big and small, during holidays or just for fun, were some of his happiest times. Sharon also brought a large part of the Edmonds community into his world. A local business owner (formerly Ambience, in Milltown) and civically-minded citizen, Sharon introduced the gregariously shy Jerry to a wider range of the Edmonds population. Sharon brought him joy and appreciation for all that is good in this life we have.Jerry had already loved Edmonds from the day he moved inside the city limits. As he got older his appreciation just deepened and grew. Many hours were spent at the marina, where he tended his beloved boats, and at various haunts about town. From their first day in business, Jerry frequented the Pancake Haus so often youd swear you could get mail delivered to him there.Jerry was diagnosed with likely pancreatic cancer on Dec. 16th, 2010, spent Christmas with his families, but then was admitted to Swedish/Edmonds on Dec. 30th. Under the truly gentle (and much appreciated) care of Dr. Paul Allen and Dr. Eileen Johnston, after various up and downs, waiting for test results, trying various treatments that sometimes eased his condition, and sometimes not, it was determined that Jerrys cancer had begun in his intestines and had spread to his pancreas, liver, and abdomen. There was nothing to be done. Sharon, ever vigilant, had been tireless in her advocacy for his care, worked hard to get him home, to his final comfort. He came home, and a mere thirty hours later, Jerry was gone. We will all miss him so!Jerry was predeceased by his first wife Angela and brother Bill, and is survived by his sister Molly, his wife Sharon, his and Angelas children Susan, Kevin, and Jeff, daughter-in-law Sue, granddaughters Donna (Susan) and Angela (Kevin and Sue). He is also survived by numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews and their families, fishermen, poker players, business associates, and school chums, whose company he enjoyed so very much. Announcement: In lieu of flowers or gifts, remembrances can be made to your favorite charity. Thank you.