James L. Shannon
1920-2017
James Leroy Shannon, 96, born November 18, 1920, to Elroy and Nora Shannon of Jamestown, New York, passed away May 25, 2017. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Jim proudly served in WWII as a pilot, receiving decorations including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star, two Air Medals, and several campaign ribbons. Flying was his lifelong passion, becoming a pilot for Delta Airlines until his retirement.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara and son, Jim. He is survived by his children John Shannon and wife Haldi and Mike Shannon and wife Tracy; grandchildren Samantha Colquitt and husband Keith, Kel Shannon, Austin and Sydney Shannon; and great grandchildren Lucy and Bryan Colquitt.
A Memorial Service will be held Monday, June 5th at 11:00 a.m. at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home and Cemetery, 13001 Katy Freeway.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Houston Chronicle on May 29, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for James Shannon

Sponsored by Memorial Oaks Funeral Home & Cemetery.

27 Entries

Maria Raveling

July 13, 2017

Everyone at J M Strange & Co. extend our sincere sympathy on your loss.

He was a very pleasant and soft spoke man.

Ted Langworthy

July 9, 2017

A true gentleman. I flew several trips with Jim and used to kid him that my daughter,Shannon, should marry his son. He never mentioned his distinguished military career.

July 8, 2017

To Jim's Family...I know you feel much pride to read all these comments from so many of his fellow pilots who thought so highly of Jim. I worked in In-Flight Service at IAH and always enjoyed visiting with him when he was there. Truly one of the Very Special Delta Pilots.

Lynn Moss Englert
Tyler, TX

How you can show support

Notify Me

Get email updates whenever changes are made.

Send flowers

Consider sending flowers.

Add photos

Share their life with photo memories.

Plant trees

Honor them by planting trees in their memory.

Donate in Memory

Make a donation in memory of your loved one.

Share this page

Invite other friends and family to visit the page.

steve sterner

June 8, 2017

I learned about Jim and his remarkable life from his proud son Mike. So many interesting and exciting stories about Jim Shannon. So honored that Mike would share them with me.

Wayne Kuehler

June 1, 2017

Jim was a big part of our Delta family. A pleasure to work with him. He will be truly missed.

May 31, 2017

Jim was a great pilot and terrific person! He lead the Houston Pilots in their monthly lunch get together's for several years and I was honored to join them on many occasions. He was truly one of the best of the greatest generation. Jim will definitely be missed!

RIP Jim

Cathy Cone (former flight attendant IAH)

Richard Lytle

May 31, 2017

I had the pleasure of working with Jim on his tax and financial matters for many years. He was a true gentleman and a joy to interact with. He will be sorely missed. My prayers go out to the family for comfort and peace.

Bill Wirth

May 31, 2017

Jim was truly a pleasure to fly with, great pilot, true gentleman, one of the best of the greatest generation.

Jon Barton

May 31, 2017

Jim was a great example for all of us in New Orleans in the Seventies on the DC-8. It wasn't just that we respected him, but he showed respect to his copilots and engineers.

Bob Measles

May 31, 2017

Jim was a pleasure to be with! He was a TRUE GENTLEMAN!
Bob Measles

Pappy Papadakis

May 31, 2017

Jim was simply the best of the top echelon pilot and person. He was one "cool hand". A person I admired and wanted to emulate... a mentor.... in all my years at Delta all I ever heard about Jim was great pilot... great guy. I loved it when I was lucky enough to get a months scheduled with Captain Shannon... and even to new hires it was Jim . Thank you sir!

Dick Gardner

May 31, 2017

My association with Jim began on the DC-7 in 1965 when I was a new flight engineer. He was a mentor without acting like a mentor in the way he did his job and set the tone for the crew with good examples. On and off the plane he was the kind of pilot and leader we all wanted to become.

Dick Gardner, Lawrenceville, IL

Don Steinway

May 30, 2017

Jim was always a pleasure to fly with. He was a great pilot and a true gentleman. I'm sure his last flight West will have a smooth landing. Godspeed Jim.

Don Steinway
Houston

Anne Kennedy

May 30, 2017

I love and enjoyed your parents so much in Houston and at delta golden wings reunions. Curtis and Susan join me in sympathy and remembrance

Jerry Witt

May 30, 2017

I arrived in HOU in early 1966-having spent my first year in DAL. My 1st month was with Captain Jim on the DC-7 as a F/E. From that point on I considered Jim my friend and mentor. He was a pilot's pilot and always a gentleman. RIP Jim-after 97 years on this earth you are now at rest in Jesus's arms.

Houston, TX

Mike Coon

May 30, 2017

Just visited with Uncle Jim last Memorial Day. Sad to learn of his passing. He was a true American hero. RIP.

May 30, 2017

Jim Shannon was the best of the best. Spent many great hours flying co-pilot with Jim on the Convair 880. I have many fond memories of those days with him. Rest in Peace Captain. Ed Morey

Nick Battaglia

May 30, 2017

I never met Jim but I know his son Mike and I know he was a great WWII pilot that flew the hump and was involved with the rescue of
General Doolittle in China.
He is a true hero in my book.
Rest in Peace.

NIck B.

Bill Kerschner

May 30, 2017

I Flew with Jim Shannon in the mid sixties on the DC-7. Jim never took a meal so I usually got two meals. Jim was the very best Captain to fly with. An exemplary gentleman and excellent pilot. When I became a Captain I tried to follow Jim's leadership. Think of this: If every Captain had the exemplary character of Captain James Shannon aviation would be a dream.

May 30, 2017

Jim was a Great PERSON , PILOT, and FRIEND ! We talked a lot about Sports , Friends. And Delta . I will miss him a lot . BOB DEBARDELABEN

May 30, 2017

ONE OF MY FAVORITE MENTORS
AL DEAN

Dave Lorenzo

May 29, 2017

A superb pilot and true gentleman. Enjoyed my time with him in the cockpit of the Convair 880. Great memories.
Dave Lorenzo

Ralph Wolken

May 29, 2017

To The Family of Jim,

Transferring into HOU, I met Jim in 1970. Always a gentleman and a pleasure to be in his company. We use to see the Shannon's at church until we moved a bit further north after my retirement.
"God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage. If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it." Author: Unknown

With Thoughts of Peace & Courage,

May 29, 2017

My Uncle Jim never missed a wedding or funeral for his family members in Jamestown, New York. We spoke every 2 weeks forever. I'll miss him very much. Great man who had a great life. He now can fly with the Angels. Love you Uncle Jim...Niece Judy Fish-Marshall

May 29, 2017

I always enjoyed flying with Jim, a real gentleman!
Godspeed Jim,
Crow and Anita

KELLEY

May 29, 2017

MAY THE THOUGHT OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS SHARING IN YOUR GRIEF BRING YOU A MEASURE OF COMFORT.PLEASE READ PROV.17:17

Showing 1 - 27 of 27 results