Edfred L. Shannon Jr.

SHANNON-Edfred L. Shannon Jr., born June 30, 1926 in Durant, Oklahoma, died September 21, 2008 in Whittier, California. His parents, Edfred L. and Oceon Merrill Shannon, and sister Margaret Merrill Shannon preceded him in death. Ed's father was a college professor and spent many years at Oklahoma State College in Stillwater, Oklahoma, which Ed considers his childhood home. The Shannon family later moved to Morehead State University in Morehead, Kentucky where Ed started his college career and met his future wife, Ruth Lee Boggs, a student in Dr. Shannon's biology class. Ruth and Ed were married in August 1947 following Ed's service in the Army during which he was in the first battalion that was part of the occupation a rmy that went ashore in Osaka, Japan in 1945. Following his military service Ruth and Ed Shannon settled in Oakland, California and Ed attended UC Berkley where he received a degree in Petroleum Engineering. He first worked for Union Oil Company and then took a position with Santa Fe Drilling Co. The company became Santa Fe International and Ed became President at the age of 35 and later CEO and Chairman for more than 30 years. Included among his board memberships were Consolidated Frieghtways, Coca Cola Bottling Company of Los Angeles, Trust Company of the West, Southern California Edison, the Boy Scouts of America Los Angeles Council , a founding member of Nixon Library and birthplace foundation, Rose Hills Foundation,Autry National Center. Ed Shannon is survived by his wife, Ruth, three children and their spouses, Michael and Kimberly Shannon, Kathy and Steve Johnson, and Bruce and Kim Shannon. The Shannons have 8 grandchildren, Chiara (Derek) , Monica and Brendan Shannon, Martine, Kevin (Michele) and Br idget Johnson, and Robert Bruce and Melinda Shannon and two great grandchildren A celebration of life service will be held October 18, 2008 11:00 am. Sky Rose Chapel, Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier, CA. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a memorial contribution are directed to The Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital Foundation, 12401 Washington Blvd., Whittier, Calfornia 90602-1006 or L.A. CADA, 11015 Bloomfield Ave., Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 Interment will be private.