Shannon Eric Gazaway

The Man. The Myth. The Legend.
Men wanted to be him. Women wanted to be with him. And most importantly, Shannon wanted to be wherever the action was.
Shannon Eric Gazaway passed away on July 15, 2025 - probably while doing something ridiculous, possibly heroic, and definitely on his own terms.
A true Southern original, Shannon loved deep-fried food smothered in his Mammaw King's gravy, Little Debbie cakes, Reese's Cups, fishing the Conasauga River, deer hunting in the wild, & hunting indigenous Southern Indian artifacts, along with Westerns, action movies, and beautiful women. Not necessarily in that order. He had a known disdain for vegetables and hypocrites. Also not necessarily in that order.
Shannon had a passion for bartering. Not every trade went in his favor, but he lived by the motto: "A trade is only as good as the deal you make." His family never understood that phrase - and still doesn't - but it made him happy, and that was enough.
Whether it was grilling chicken, popping wheelies on his Harley at 50 mph (when it ran), or hitting Coke bottles at thirty yards with a.45 (or his neighbor's, if his was in hock), Shannon lived for the thrill. He was a master of the tall tale - 50% of every story was true, though no one ever figured out which 50%? His heroes were Clint Eastwood, Charles Bronson, and Sylvester Stallone - and he fancied himself a bit of each, especially to his four children: Hunter, Ciera, Logan, and Chloe.
Shannon had "Flirty" and "Dirty" tattooed on his massive forearms, which often delivered bear hugs to anyone in need of love or encouragement. He was adored by many, and he certainly adored the ladies - at least 50% of whom might've adored him back? A romantic at heart, Shannon married young at 17 and gave marriage a few more tries (possibly three?). It didn't always work out, but he stayed friends with his exes - and their families.
He pursued a life unencumbered by conventional wisdom. And he did it all his way.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Marlane King Gazaway.
He is survived by his sons, Hunter (Brandi) Gazaway of Rocky Face, Logan Gazaway of Cohutta; daughter, Siera Gazaway of Rocky Face; sister, Tanya (Dan) Gilligan of Cohutta; grandchildren, Addilynn and Sutton Gazaway. Also, several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Marlane King Gazaway, along with his loving grandparents Sam (Johnny) & Dorothy King.
Shannon leaves behind his sons Hunter (Brandi) of Rocky Face, GA and Logan Gazaway, of Cohutta, GA, his daughters Ciera of Rocky Face, GA and Chloe Gazaway of Cleveland, TN, two grandchildren Addilynn and Sutton of Rocky Face, GA, his sister Tanya (Dan) Gilligan of Cohutta, GA and his surviving parent, Craig Gazaway of Ringgold, GA along with his Godparents Doyle & Kaye Gazaway of Cohutta, GA & the many aunts, uncles & cousins he so deeply cherished.
As for how Shannon left this world - rumor has it he rushed into a burning salvage store to save a group of adorable kittens. Or maybe not? With Shannon, it's always that 50/50 story split. Again, the Man, the Myth, the Legend!
Godspeed, Shan Man. You were one of a kind. In spite of it all - or maybe because of it - we love you.
A funeral service will be held at the Pleasant Grove Chapel of Julian Peeples Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at 1:00 PM with the family providing the eulogy.
Messages of comfort may be sent to the family at www.julianpeeples.com.
Arrangements are by Julian Peeples Funeral Home of Dalton. For more information, please call 706-259-7455.