George Raymond Shannon

December 30, 1939 - March 1, 2023 George R. Shannon was born in Chicago, IL on December 30, 1939. He became a gerontology educator and researcher at the age of 64 after a decades-long career as an actor. "With his commitment to creativity, learning and giving back to future generations, George personified the best principles of gerontology", said USC Leonard Davis School Dean Pinchas Cohen.
Shannon and his first wife Elizabeth Jane Elkin, divorced, and he moved to New York to pursue acting full-time. George Shannon went back to school at age 55 to earn his bachelors, master's, and PhD in Gerontology and named to 2 honors societies. As a Professor of Gerontology at USC, he loved his pedagogy about the effects of aging and was named holder of the Kevin Xu Chair in Gerontology and Director of the Rongxiang Xu Regenerative Life Science Laboratory in 2016. Kevin Xu, CEO of MEBO International and APEC 2023 Host Committee Co-Chair, as well as a USC alumnus found inspiration from Shannon and Dr. Li Li Xu (Vice Chairman of the BOD of the MEBO Group), and Tom Tao (Visiting Scholar, Research Scientist). Together, they recruited Shannon to participate in the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), where they collectively made a "Commitment to Action." President Bill Clinton himself extended his condolences and recognition for Shannon's valuable contributions to the Initiative.
He is survived by his wife Ellen Shannon, his five daughters, Mary Shannon (Tom Amenda), Elizabeth Shannon Reedy (Daniel), Margaret Shannon, Catherine Shannon (James Collins) and Phoenix Rising; eleven grandchildren, Thomas, Norah, Claire, Amanda, Harlan (Lindsay) Nora, Henry, Kathleen, Daniel, David and Chacta; two great-grandchildren, Gemma and Zeke; his brother Terrence; and nieces and nephew Tracey, Sandra Kelly and Michael.
A Celebration of Life was held at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology on May 11th. Many of George's colleagues, close friends and family attended and acknowledged his beautiful career and life path. Remarks began with Dean Pinchas Cohen, MD, followed by Dr. Aaron Hagedorn, Dr. Jon Pynoos, Dr. Kathleen Wilber, Cathy-Rusoff-O'Neill, Phyllis Gorby, Menghzhao Yan, Erin Crutcher, Genaro Molina, and Amanda Grumbach Driver in an event flawlessly organized by Senior Associate Dean Maria Henke. A stunning film by Trevor Nelson about George's life was shown. In honor of his extensive career at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, a Scholarship Program was announced in George's name by Kevin Xu, CEO of MEBO International and 2023 APEC Host Committee Co-Chair. Ellen is forever grateful to Brigitta Carlsson for traveling from Sweden to offer her support, alongside the extraordinary help by Amanda Driver and Emily Nabors. Lastly, a remarkable Gallery of George's acting and university life is currently on display in the school's Sophie Davis Art Gallery.