Shannon McCullough

Shannon McCullough, 85, of Jackson, passed away Friday, July 25, 2025, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

Born June 13, 1940, in Greenbrier, Missouri, to Dudley "Hugh" and Ida "Fern" Miller McCullough, Shannon was the youngest of 11 children. He was raised on Castor River in Greenbrier and was a graduate of Zalma High School. He and Karen Schaper were married on February 19, 1966, in Jackson. They had been married 56 years when Karen passed away December 2, 2022.

Shannon honorably served in the U.S. Army from November 9, 1961, to November 8, 1963.

Upon returning from the military, he worked on the farm of Allen and Lorene McDowell in Fruitland. He then worked many years at Lenco, retiring as the foreman of the welding department.

Shannon and Karen were members of Zion Methodist Church near Gordonville.

As active members of the Jackson Trail Riders and the Perry County Saddle Club, Shannon and Karen spent most weekends doing anything associated with their Tennessee Walking Horses. Shannon's true passion was horses, and he and Karen drove countless miles, from Texas to Minnesota, all in the name of showing or trading horses. Shannon and Karen also taught several children how to ride.

Shannon loved to tell jokes and stories. He was also known for frequent fender benders, but his standard reply after any mishap was, "Oh, it will be alright". Those who borrowed any of his farm equipment or trailers knew they would always have to replace a tire or two.

Loving survivors include two sisters-in-law: Kathy Schaper Goodson; Kristi (Tony) Watson both of Jackson; Shannon's nieces and nephews: Carole Yount; Barbara Zieba; Debby Hess; Gary McCullough; Caren Hazel; Ronda Hess; Randy, Dennis, Virgil and Ronnie "Moose" Moore; Lannie Abernathy; Teresa Stepp; Donna Gilliam; Kim Jones; and Kevin McCullough; Karen's nieces and nephews: Kirsten Schaper; Kordel Schaper; Kalisha Schaper; Kenesia Scholl; Annette Kelpe; Jared Goodson; Tyson and Tynn Watson.

Shannon was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; ten siblings, Rosaliegh Abernathy; Glenda Cameron; LaVeda Stepp; Geraldine Moore; Beulah Hardesty; Leon McCullough; Lyndell McCullough; Bill McCullough, and Don McCullough; nieces and nephews; baby Jerry Lee; Wayne McCullough; Keith Moore; Shelby Harrington; Jimmy McCullough; Gordon McCullough; Paul Stepp Jr; Roger McCullough; Peggy Hardesty, Jr. Hardesty, Patsy Hardesty; Karen's parents, Elmer and Odene Kaufman Schaper; and a brother-in-law, Keith Schaper.

Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, July 29, 2025, and from 9:30 a.m. to service time, Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at the funeral home, followed by military honors.

Interment will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Zion Methodist Church