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Robert Shannon Obituary
Shannon, Jr.
1925-2019
Joseph Robert Shannon, Jr., 94 ½, passed away on Wednesday, December 11, 2019 in Houston, Texas. He was born in Houston, Texas on April 19, 1925 to Joseph Robert Shannon, Sr. and Clara Voorhees Shannon.
Bob, aka "J.R." attended Poe and Montrose Elementary Schools and Lanier Junior High before graduating from Lamar High School in 1942. At Lamar he enjoyed playing football and running track. He served in the Navy from 1943-1946 where he did UDT training as a "frogman" and was deployed in the Pacific. He has since been a huge aficionado of WWII history. Up until the end he led a very active lifestyle first flying his Mooney airplanes, then deep sea boating and fishing in the Gulf and he later began running in his 60's, including several Houston marathons. Bob was a former President of the Al Lawrence Running Club and could often be found offering his advice at Memorial Park.
Bob graduated from Georgetown University in June 1950 and then returned to Houston where he founded CASCO, an industrial construction company, in 1959. He was a member of the Houston Racquet Club for many years, beginning in the 1950's when it was known as Sagewood Country Club. He was also a longtime member of the Houston Downtown Exchange Club until his passing, serving as President and proud to be its oldest and most senior member.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his first grandchild (Francis Patrick Shannon), a son-in-law (Mike Theodosis), and his stepson (Eden Errol Settegast). He is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Cloye Turner Shannon, his brother, Peter B. Shannon, his sister, Adelyn (Paddy) Cook, and his children: Joseph Robert Shannon III (Ann), Daniel Farrall Shannon (Gail), Jerry Shannon (Amy), Carol Shannon Willis (David), Sally Shannon Theodosis Hanis (Craig), stepson Warren Evan Settegast and Christi Settegast (wife of Eden). He was also proud of and survived by 19 beautiful grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Houston Racquet Club on Thursday, December 19, 2019 at 10:00 am. Memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Shannon
Sponsored by Memorial Oaks Funeral Home & Cemetery.
Rickie P Davis
June 21, 2023
Dear Cloye. For many years, I lived in the house across the street from you, number 8 Pine Creek Ln. I will never forget your husband´s beautiful smile and sweet disposition. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Rickie Prichard Davis
Mark Much
December 23, 2019
Memorial Park will never be the same without JR and Al.
Lynn Trafton
December 18, 2019
I will always miss you JR! Cloye stay strong my friend, he will always be in your heart
I can hear his laugh! Always up to something with Al.
Connie Lawrence
December 16, 2019
John Hobbs
December 16, 2019
Great man and great friend to Al Lawrence and all the runners in Houston.
LaTasha Gary
December 16, 2019
We will miss you JR! Thanks for being an inspiration to us runners!
Daniel Shannon
December 15, 2019
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Karen Thibodeaux
December 15, 2019
Old JR..was probably the best friend I ever had in my life with the exception of Al Lawrence..with whom we both shared a love for! I started running with JR when he was in his 60's...and he would try and chase me down the trails in Memorial Park...and he always made me laugh so hard I would wet my britches..cause he would try to get me to 'catch' some guy running. He was quite the jokester..and when he and Al got together, lord help us, the laughter and tears were shed...and always tears of happiness. We would run in Memorial, to downtown (our 10 mile loop) and at Rice U on the crazy root filled trails where often he would forget to pick his feet up and 'wham' he would go down. well, if you ever saw a 6 foot plus man - fall, it was quite funny actually! He would just laugh it off..with cuts and scratches all over. Just 'another war wound" we would say! My daughter Jennifer, whom I know he loved as much as his own kids, shared his birthday, and we spent many years together on that day having dinner at Churasco's. He NEVER let me pay for anything which would drive me crazy, but he just loved giving. He and Cloye were the only people I knew that didn't mind me 'popping in' to say hello without calling first. we shared a love of plants and I would watch him move all his Plumeria's in the house during winter. I got the same habit from him. He had a gorgeous stylish home, and I know that Cloye kept it looking pristeen and decorated so beautifully. I loved his home at Christmas, as he would have a gorgeous tree and Cloye would make sure it was decorated to perfection. and the gifts..piles and piles as he had so many kids, grandkids, and the greatgrandkids...whom he loved dearly and was extremely proud of them. On our long runs together with Cloye, we would talk about every subject, and I always learned new things about the world with him as he liked to discuss history, and my daughter especially loved those conversations. We used to go to the Settegast ranch home for Easter or other holidays and call Cloyes ex husband his "husband in-law' and they had a very close relationship considering! He was so proud of his kids, and also Cloyes kids. They have a beautiful family. I cannot tell you the sadness I feel that I will never get to fuss at him again...or be embarrassed by him! He would always brag about me when we got together with new runners in the park, and always made sure to tell new people that I was "once" a fast runner! I would get red in face whenever he said "Tibbs - you need to get that weight off you" but I knew he always said it out of love. I guess you may say I loved him about as much as I loved my own dad. and the same for Cloye..who would also irritate JR because she could run much faster than he could! We did those track workouts like young people would and JR was famous for running the 100 yard dash pretty darn fast for someone in his 70's! I shall never forget the last time I saw him run a half marathon (he had stopped running the longer full marathon years before) and as he ran into the finish at the Houston Marathon, he was so bent over running that most people that he was about to just fall over and all ran over to him before he crossed the finish line so they could catch him! But, every once in awhile, he would fall. and he always got back up. and wouldn't quit. After he retired from his company and was sure his sons would run it for him, he would spend his days out at the park with Al Lawrence, and was known to google eye the girls, who all enjoyed his attention! But, his true love of his life was Cloye. She was always first and foremost in his mind. When she had a heart attack a few years ago, he let me know that he 'almost lost her'. and, he was really upset. I had never seen him upset since I knew him. But, he was just so concerned about her. In a way, I am very glad that he went first. I cannot imagine him living without her. I know Cloye will miss that old big sweet heart. As most of us will. I love you Old JR. Forever and a day..and look forward to running with you again someday in the clouds among all those who left us behind, especially with Al. Jennifer and I will NEVER forget you. To all the Shannons and Settegasts sons and daughters and family, I share your grief. I have been blessed to have been in the Shannon's life for the past 30+ years!
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