Rex Shannon

Rex Oran Shannon, the middle child of Linnie and Floyd Shannon’s nine children, was born in Clarendon, Texas, on February 6, 1921. He grew up on a cotton farm. Through the years we have been entertained by stories about what life was like for a family of eleven sharing a tiny two-bedroom house.

After graduating from Clarendon High School in 1939, Rex attended business college for a year in Lubbock, then headed west to train as an aircraft mechanic with Douglas Aircraft in Los Angeles. During his time there, Pearl Harbor was bombed. Like many of his generation, he joined the Army Air Corps to learn to fly in the service of his country.

Following the war, he attended the University of Texas and earned a degree in clinical psychology in 1950. Rex was called back to active duty and had a career in the U. S. Air Force flying various planes including KC-97 refuelers and C-124 cargo planes.

In 1952 he met Doris Stoneham whom he married one year later. In the ensuing years, they had three children – Susan, Shirley, and Kelly – and spent time stationed in El Paso, Texas; Great Falls, Montana; and Stephenville, Newfoundland, before being transferred to San Antonio. In 1969 Rex retired from the Air Force. Over the next 35 years, he enjoyed a second career as a residential realtor.

Rex and Doris were people of strong faith in God, and church was always a priority for them. Their faith was evident as they served in a multitude of ways to help others, including being a deacon for over fifty years. They formed lifelong friendships with their church family wherever they lived.

Rex was a loving, generous dad and grandpa. He loved his children well, and he delighted in his grandsons Ben and Jeff as well as his great grandson Grayson. He loved his parents, his siblings and their spouses, his nieces and nephews, and enjoyed time with them at least once a year at the Shannon family reunions.

After his 100th birthday, Rex moved to assisted living at Arden Courts. The family wants to thank the staff there as well as Heidi D’Amico, Vitas Hospice, and his amazing personal caretakers Wendy Fuentes and Jennifer Adair, who helped immeasurably.

Rex was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Doris. He is survived by his children, Susan Shannon Knighten of San Antonio, Shirley Shannon Miller and husband John of San Antonio, and Kelly Shannon and wife Diana of New Braunfels; grandsons Ben Knighten and wife Sarah of Erie, Colorado, and Jeff Knighten of Denver, Colorado, as well as great grandson Grayson Knighten of Erie, Colorado. Rex is also survived by sister-in-law Maxine Shannon of Dallas and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of San Antonio or Samaritan’s Purse.

A celebration of Rex’s life will take place on April 8th at First Baptist Church, 515 McCullough, San Antonio, TX 78215. Visitation will start at 10:00 a.m., and the service will begin at 10:30 followed by a reception. The graveside service will take place at Sunset Memorial Park on Austin Highway at 2:15 p.m.