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David Shannon Obituary
July 22, 1955 - April 18, 2019
Resident of Pleasanton
David M. Shannon, 63, passed away on Thursday, April 18, 2019, surrounded by his loving family and friends after a brief but intense struggle with brain cancer. A California native, David attended high school in southern California and graduated from Pepperdine University in 1976. After completing undergraduate studies, David met the love of his life, Maureen, and they married and had two children: Ryan Edward and Caitlin Faith. Their love carried them through forty-one years of marriage and saw David soar to great heights in the high-tech Silicon Valley legal community following his graduation from Pepperdine University School of Law.
He started his legal career at the law firm of Gibson, Dunn, & Crutcher, before joining Intel Corporation. In 2002 he joined NVIDIA as vice-president and general counsel, where after a 16-year tenure at the leading AI computing company he retired as executive vice-president, chief administrative officer and company secretary in 2018.
David enjoyed his family, travel, fine wine, sports cars, the Giants, for whom he had a lifelong passion, the Sharks, and the 49ers. David served as mentor and advisor to many in the legal community, and included among his most impressive accomplishments were his service as past President of the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley, board member of the Love Forward Foundation, and recipient of the prestigious Burton Foundation's Legends in Law Award in Washington D.C., in 2016.
In addition to his wife and children (all of Pleasanton, CA), David leaves behind his mother and step-father, Dolores and Tony DeBenedictis, his father William, brothers Dennis (Bonita) and Paul (Danna), sisters Merri (John) Williamson, Denise (Perry) Crawford, and Lani DeBenedictis, and a host of bereaved nephews, nieces, extended family, and friends.
A private memorial mass will be held for the family followed by a celebration of life memorial in Santa Clara on April 27, 2019. In lieu of flowers the family requests that those interested make contributions in David's honor to the American Cancer Society or the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley's "David Shannon Memorial Leadership Fund."
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Memories and Condolences
for David Shannon
Sponsored by San Jose Mercury News.
6 Entries
Ed Heidig
January 18, 2025
it greatly saddens me to learn of the passing of my once friend and fellow law student at Pepperdine David Shannon. All of his accomplishments are noted but I remember how gracious he was in all things, well spoken & kind. We lost track of each other over the years of family and career but I am grateful to have known him and his encouragement. Ed Heidig `86
Tony DeBenedictis
December 9, 2023
Just discovered this page, so I am very happy that I can pay tribute to my stepson...I loved this guy as I would my own flesh and blood! I was witness to his success from humble beginning to the very pinnacle of his trade. He was a devoted husband and father and was taken from us much too soon! May God rest his Soul...He is in Heaven with his Mother, my Love!
devoted husband and father
May 7, 2019
David was a role model and friend. My condolences to the family.
Toni DeBenedictis
April 26, 2019
He is going to be missed so much by so many. I can remember playing cards with him as we sat around the kitchen table. He'd be counting not only his cards but mine as well which could be hilariously frustrating. He loved his family so much and his kids were such a source of pride for him. I'm still in shock. I'm sending prayers to Mo, Ryan, Caitlyn, Dennis and Bonita, Mom and Dad and Lani. He is loved, he is missed and will never be forgotten.
The Staff of Graham-Hitch Mortuary
April 22, 2019
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
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