Ronald Lee Shannon

Ron was born in Brookfield, Missouri on March 13, 1937, to Lorna Irene Atherton Shannon and Harvey Lynn Shannon and had no siblings. The family eventually settled in Chillicothe, Missouri. Ron attended Chillicothe High School where he played basketball, football and ran track. He also attended Boy’s State and was Cresset King in 1954. Ron graduated in 1955 and was Senior Class President.

Ron continued his education at Northwest Missouri State and then the University of Missouri. While there, he was a member of the Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity and the Sigma Tau Gamma social fraternity. In 1959, Ron was a founding member of the MU Chapter of Sigma Tau Gamma and was its first President. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in August of 1959. In the early 1960’s, Ron was a member of the US Army Reserves.

While a student at the University of Missouri, Ron met fellow student Doris Elaine Epperson of Columbia, Missouri and the two were married in Chillicothe, Missouri in November of 1960. Ron and Doris had a daughter, Kristine Lyn, born in July of 1966.

Ron’s business life took the family to locations in Missouri, Iowa and Tennessee, with many of those years living in St. Louis. In 1981, Ron received his Master of Management Information Systems from Washington University in St. Louis. Then, in 1995, Ron took a position at Toastmaster, Inc. and Ron and Doris permanently returned to Columbia. They were happy to return home to be close to long-time friends and family.

Ron loved the outdoors, whether he was fishing, playing golf, or just taking a long walk, he was happiest outside. He also took great pleasure in playing cards; bridge with friends, spades with family or blackjack by himself were favorite ways to spend his time. After Ron retired, he started woodcarving at the Columbia Senior Center and created wonderful pieces that he shared with family and friends.

Besides being active, Ron also loved a nice long conversation over multiple cups of coffee or to share a beer during a Mizzou or St. Louis Cardinals game. He treasured time with family and was curious about and engaged in their lives. Ron enjoyed travel, exploring new places and experiencing different things.

For close to a decade, Ron lived with the impact of Alzheimer’s type dementia. Throughout his journey, he maintained a positive demeanor and conducted himself with dignity and grace. He may have lost his memories, but he maintained his personality, humor and kindness.

Ron is survived by his daughter, Kris, of St. Louis, Missouri and many cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, many other family and friends and the kind staff of Smithton Village who cared for him like family.

Ron is preceded in death by his wife, Doris Shannon, his parents, Harvey and Lorna Shannon, and his daughter-in-law, Kathleen Lee.

A gathering of friends and family will be held Saturday, February 24, 2024, at 10:30 AM at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70W, Columbia, Missouri followed by a Celebration of Life at 11:30 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri or the Alzheimer’s Association.