Kevin Shannon

Kevin Emmet Geoffrey Shannon passed away on Saturday, October 4, at the age of 69. He was born on February 2, 1945 in Birmingham, England to Joseph J. Shannon and Wilhelmina Prince Shannon. Kevin spent his childhood living in numerous places in Europe before finally arriving in the U.S. in 1952; Kevin’s later passion for travel was fueled by his early memories of the grandeur of European cities.

Kevin was a devoted son, father, grandfather and husband. Kevin is survived by: his wife Mitzi; his mother Wilhelmina; sisters Maureen Fincher, Sheila Shannon, Denise Shannon, and Moira Blazier; sons Trevor Adrian Shannon (Randi Potasky) and Michael Julius Shannon (Austen Shannon). Kevin’s brother Joseph preceded him in death. Kevin was blessed by seven grandchildren who provided some of the happiest moments of his later life: Taylor Shannon, Ashley Shannon, Andrew P. Levin, Jonathan P. Levin, Rory Shannon, Keagan Shannon, and Scout Shannon.

Kevin proudly served in the United States Marines with active duty in Vietnam from 1968 to 1970. He graduated from Texas Tech University and Texas Tech Law School, and then returned to El Paso to practice law. Kevin practiced law for 25 years, including the District Attorney’s office, Federal Public Defender’s Office, private practice, and at Kemp Smith LLP.

As much as Kevin enjoyed the practice of law, his real love was teaching. Kevin taught in the Criminal Justice Department at UTEP for over 30 years and had the opportunity to mold the minds of many lawyers still practicing in El Paso today. Kevin also had a close relationship with the El Paso Police Department and took advantage of his legal background to teach many classes at the El Paso Policy Academy. Kevin volunteered his time to teach government and current events to students at St. Raphael Catholic School and never missed an opportunity to stress the importance of an education to all of the young students whose lives he touched.

Kevin loved to travel around the world with his wife Mitzi, play with model trains, spend time with his grandchildren, drive his Corvette, and watch baseball and soccer. Kevin was also a Rolling Stones fan, and the only request for his funeral was a rendition of “Start Me Up.”

Kevin never met a stranger, and his personality is best captured by the words of one of his friends across the pond: “Kevin was larger than life and he will be in my heart forever. The twinkle in his eyes, that thirst for life, his dry wit, his gift for engaging with others, even total strangers, and making them laugh.”

Kevin fought a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease, and the family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the National Parkinson’s Foundation at the Parkinson’s Disease Center & Movement Disorders Clinic at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.

Pallbearers for Kevin’s services are Jim Curtis, John Howell, Rick Blanken, Mike McNamee, Robert Almonte, Kenny Haddad, Ramiro Escandon and Jim Darnell.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 8, 2014 from 5:00PM-8:00PM at Martin Funeral Home West. Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, October 9, 2014 at 12:30PM at Coronado Baptist Church, 501 Thunderbird Dr., El Paso, Texas 79912. Interment will follow at 2:30PM at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson. Services entrusted into the care of Martin Funeral Home West, 128 North Resler Dr., El Paso, Texas 79912. www.MartinFuneralHomeWest.com.