Jack Herbert Shannon

Shannon, Jack Herbert, age 84 of Birmingham died on Saturday, February 12, 2011. Mr. Shannon was born in Birmingham, Alabama on June 28, 1926, the son of Lester Norman Shannon and Kate Little. He was educated at McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tennessee and had begun attending college at Princeton University, when he was called to service in the United States Navy in 1944 during World War II. After the war, he attended Birmingham Southern College and began work at Birmingham Trust National Bank. At this same time, he served in the United States Naval Reserve and in 1951 was recalled to full time active duty during the Korean War. In October of 1952, Mr. Shannon returned to Birmingham and reestablished his position with Birmingham Trust National Bank going on to become one of their youngest Vice Presidents. In 1956, he became Vice President of Berney Perry & Company, Investment Bankers. Mr. Shannon also began developing new homes in the expanding subdivisions of Mountain Brook, building over 20 beautiful homes in this area. In 1961, he became a partner with Pierce Garrison Wolborn, Investment Bankers, Member NYSE until 1964, at which time he became proprietor of J.H. Shannon & Co., an investment banking firm that was one of the founders of revenue bond financing for health care institutions. Mr. Shannon successfully lobbied both the Alabama and Tennessee legislature to permit municipal and tax exempt financing of hospitals. His firm helped finance numerous hospitals throughout the southeast including the following local hospitals: Carraway Methodist Medical Center, Bessemer Carraway, Baptist Medical Center, St. Vincents Hospital, and Children’s Hospital.

In 1984, Mr. Shannon became President and then CEO and Chairman of the Board of Alabama Federal Savings and Loan Association, which expanded its branches within the Southeast, emerging as Secor Bank, the State’s largest thrift, later to be bought by Regions Bank. Mr. Shannon continued as Chairman and CEO for Secor until his retirement at age 65.

He served as trustee on numerous boards including Indian Springs School, Lakeshore Rehabilitation Hospital, and Children’s Hospital. He was an Ambassador at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Patron of the Lakeshore Foundation and member of the Order of Krewe for the Museum of Art. He was a member of The Tocqueville Society of the United Way of Central Alabama, Inc.

Mr. Shannon was a member and past president of Mountain Brook Club and was a member of the Redstone Club for over 50 years.

Mr. Shannon was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Kate Shannon; and his brother, Lester N. (Betty) Shannon, Jr. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Elizabeth O’Neal Shannon; his children and their spouses, Jack Herbert Shannon Jr., Katherine Shannon Owens, Lela Shannon (Michael) Low, Lisa White (Jack) Reed, Margaret White (Holman) Head, Virginia White (Ruffner) Page, David Hart (Beth) White; his four grandchildren, Neal, Shannon, Katherine, Charlie, and eight step-grandchildren; his brother, William Hammel (Frances) Shannon; nieces, Katherine Little Shannon, Marie Shannon (Jay) Monroe; nephews, Lester (Cindy) Shannon and Michael Shannon.

Jack lived a full life as banker, businessman, patron, avid tennis player, golfer, but most importantly a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

Memorial service will be held at 11:45 am Thursday February 17, 2011 at St. Mary’s-on-the-Highlands Episcopal Church with a reception to follow at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the United Way of Central Alabama Inc. or a charity of your choice.