We lost our dearest John Nicholas Shannon on Tuesday, April 13, 2021, at the age of 57. John died in the caring hands of his hospice nurse and was surrounded by his wife, parents and family. John was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on March 2, 1964 to his parents, Marion Ellen (Mauldin) Shannon and Charles Gentry Shannon. He is survived by his parents and three siblings, all of Tulsa, Oklahoma: James Christopher Shannon, Kathleen Shannon Huff and Charles Andrew Shannon.
John began his education in Tulsa at St. Pius School, continued to Bishop Kelley High School and completed his B.S. in Architecture at Oklahoma State University and graduated in 1992. He pursued graduate school in historic preservation. John truly enjoyed learning; he was an avid reader and especially enjoyed WWII and Vietnam war history. He was the winner of the Oklahoma State Interscholastic Meet in Geography in the early 1980s. In his youth, John enjoyed playing baseball and football and was active in scouting. He was affectionately known as “turtle boy” because he saved countless turtles and tortoises from untimely deaths on many roads and highways across the U.S.
He and his wife, Kimberly Ann (Kuehnert) Shannon met in the summer of 1983 and were married in October 1984. Their relationship and life together truly began on the night they met; they spoke of marriage on that first night. Their love for each other was sincere, deep, and stood the test of time. Together, John and Kim enjoyed time with family and friends, their many dogs and other pets, traveling to Colorado and other destinations, and Friday nights at Kilkennys Irish Pub.
John and Kim lived most of their life together in Tulsa in a family home built by his grandfather. They did spend 10 years in Stillwater, Oklahoma, while pursuing their post-secondary educations at Oklahoma State University. John truly loved the challenge of his five years in Architecture studio. He made lifelong friends with his classmates and professors during those years. John worked for various architecture firms in Tulsa before becoming a corporate architect at QuikTrip. He was extremely proud of the 16 years he worked there with the Development team and his colleagues. His keen attention to detail, professionalism and caring demeanor made him an invaluable resource to QuikTrip.
John’s favorite thing to do was fly fishing. He spent his happiest times with his father, brothers, sister, wife and friends standing in a stream, methodically casting and tempting fish to bite. He taught himself to tie many of the flies that he fished with. John and Kim, and sometimes family too, traveled to and vacationed in south central Colorado for many years. He also enjoyed four-wheeling in his Jeep thru the mountain passes of Colorado. The best memories were made in the streams, on the tops of mountains and in cozy and quaint cabins in Colorado. He enjoyed a round of golf, was a skilled birder and cared deeply for all the animals of this world, especially his many dogs and cats. His dogs were truly devoted to him as well and our current crew of three dogs miss their master and best friend very much.
John was always happy to be with his friends at Kilkennys Irish Pub in Tulsa. The owner, managers, and all staff were his friends and he held them all in the highest regard. He has his own hamburger on the menu, the Shannon burger, and was so very proud of that recognition. He enjoyed many pints of Guinness, whiskey and the best food because his friends, who became family, were always there to greet him and spend some time with him. Life at the pub will not be the same without him.
John’s devotion and love for his family and friends was deep and immeasurable. He loved his wife’s family (Kuehnerts) as much as his own parents and siblings. He held his many nephews and nieces close to his heart and always had their welfare and happiness on his mind. He was very proud of the young adults they are or are becoming and their accomplishments. Some of his happiest moments were spent selecting and bestowing toys upon the children of the Shannon and Kuehnert families. Nothing in this world made him happier than to surprise a loved one with a thoughtful gift. Nothing. He was our St. Nicholas on any given day and especially at Christmas.
Our hearts are broken at the loss of our loving, generous and thoughtful husband, son, brother, uncle, colleague and dear friend. He had a quick wit and sense of humor, the ability to put others at ease and made friends quickly and easily. In contrast, he was a private person that did not seek the spotlight but given the chance, would talk your ear off after a pint or three. We know John is in heaven; pain free and reunited with family, friends and so many beloved pets.
A memorial service will be held for John at the Moore Funeral Home at 14th and Peoria on Thursday, March 22nd, at 10:00am. We will do our best to remain Covid safe and ask you to please wear a mask. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Tulsa SPCA Tribute and Memorial Gifts (tulsaspca.org) or the Oklahoma Cancer Specialist Cares Fund (Tulsa Community Foundation (tulsacf.org)
Please share your memories of John at:
John Nicholas Shannon Obituary
– Visitation & Funeral Information
(moorefuneral.com)
www.moorefuneral.com
Published by Tulsa World on Apr. 20, 2021.
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