Francis Peter Shannon

Frank Peter Shannon, age 85, passed away on February 20, 2011. He was preceded in death by his brother, Thomas, and by the mother of his six children, Jean Marie Shannon. Frank is survived by his loving wife, Florence Cooper Shannon; children Maureen Weyel, Eileen Carlson and husband Peter, Kevin Shannon and wife Cynthia, Brian Shannon, Kelly Shannon and wife Marcia, and Daniel Shannon; stepsons Don Cooper, Greg Cooper and wife Connie, and Bob Cooper and wife Linda; grandchildren Kevin Michael Shannon and wife Sarah, Megan Weyel Cook and husband Michael, Collin Shannon, Sean Carlson, Kara Shannon, Michael Shannon, and Kacie Shannon. He is also survived by his sister, Patricia Randall, niece Shannon Randall, and nephews Mark Randall and Tom Shannon; cousins Mary Jane Schaal, Richard Herrmann, and Bob Herrmann and wife Shirley.

Frank was born in Duluth, Minnesota on October 9, 1925 to Francis Shannon, an attorney, and Roseline Herrmann Shannon, a milliner. He attended Catholic school in Minneapolis until his widowed mother moved the family to Houston, Texas where Frank attended Milby High School. At an ice hockey match against St. Thomas High School, the athleticism and talents of Frank and his older brother, Tom, were so impressive that arrangements were quickly made for both boys to attend St. Thomas. Both excelled in basketball and hockey, but it was their football success that resulted in three winning seasons for St. Thomas and Frank’s heroics on the field being heralded in many articles and pictures in the newspaper, The Houston Post.

Upon graduation from St. Thomas, Frank enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in early 1944 and became certified as part of the signal corps. In 1945, he deployed to Iwo Jima as part of the 4th Marine Division 23rd Battalion where he gallantly fought in the second wave; he was honorably discharged from the Marines with the rank of corporal at the end of WWII. After WWII, Frank returned to Minnesota where he enrolled at the University of Minnesota. There he played baseball as a centerfielder, lettering three years and being named “All Big 10” two years. He went on to play for the semi-professional softball team, Minnesota Millers, who went to the 1952 National Championship Series. His love of baseball and softball actively continued into his 80’s; while raising his three oldest sons, he coached various Little League teams to many victorious seasons. At the age of 55, Frank became very involved in senior slow-pitch softball and played for over 25 years; he was named to several champion all-star teams, and was awarded MVP when his Houston team won the “75 and Over” National Championship.

Frank’s honesty, affability, and ambition led him to become the consummate salesman, enjoying much success and recognition over a 50-year career in selling school-related products. He endeared himself to all those with whom he worked, and developed many lasting friendships both professionally and personally. Frank also had many passions – St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, liar’s poker at Otto’s with his buddies, and playing bridge. Most St. Patrick’s Day parades in downtown Houston found Frank in the procession, bedecked in green from head to toe and spreading the Irish cheer for which he became beloved.

Frank was a loving and unselfish father. Whether it was coaching his sons’ sports, taking his daughters to see their first Beatles movies, surprising his children with live chicks and bunnies at Easter, taking time on Sunday afternoon for trips to the Borden ice cream counter, or finding summer employment for every one of his children, he enjoyed being with his family. He was also a good Catholic, always ensuring his family attended Sunday Mass at St. Francis de Sales Church (of which he was a founding parishioner).

Friends are invited to a visitation with the family to be held on Thursday, February 24 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 25, at St. Francis de Sales Church, 8200 Roos Road in Houston. Immediately following the service, a reception will be held in the Parish hall. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Frank P. Shannon can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Houston and Southeast Texas Chapter at www.alz.org/texas.