James A. Shanks

1935 - 2023

After a brief illness, prominent businessman, beloved husband, father, and man of faith, James A Shanks, quietly went to be with the Lord through the miracle of Salvation on August 18th, 2023. He was just shy of his 88th Birthday.
Jim, as everyone knew him, was born in Louisville, Kentucky on August 30, 1935. He graduated from Flaget High School before joining the US Army at age 19. Upon completion of his time in the service, Jim returned home where he met and married his beautiful bride, Elaine. Together, they formed the perfect match and set out on a 64-year journey displaying a marriage full of compassion, joy, love, kindness, while freely sharing their Christian faith with all they encountered. Jim and Elaine grew and nurtured their family by providing what would be a never-ending flow of unconditional love, for not only their own children to draw on, but also the ones they would eventually foster locally and sponsor overseas.
Jim's professional career started as a Nursing Home administrator with the Humana Corporation in Lexington Kentucky. A series of promotions led him to Rochester, Minnesota, then Morristown, Tennessee, and he eventually landed in Central Florida. Humana rewarded Jim's hard work with a promotion to their hospital division. In 1974, he was named Administrator of Osceola Regional Hospital in Kissimmee, the largest hospital in the county. After his tenure there, Jim was promoted to Lucerne Hospital in Orlando, and eventually became Associate Executive Director for Humana Health Plans of Central Florida.
Jim's impact as a businessman and civic leader in the local community was evident, he served on many prominent Boards and received numerous awards, some of which are listed below.
• Humana Club Outstanding Accomplishments Award
• Florida Medical Business Award for Best Hospital turnaround: Orlando Regional Hospital Lucence.
• Rotary Foundation Paul Harris Fellow Award
• Rotary 4 Way Test: Outstanding Rotarian Award
• Community Trusteeship Award: Osceola Distinguished Leader
• Martin Luther King Award, Osceola Visionaries
• Chamber of Commerce: Hall of Fame Award
• Chamber of Commerce: Business of the year Award.
In 2002, Jim moved into a completely new field in the health industry, when he accepted his final position as CEO of Park Place Behavioral Hospital in Kissimmee, quickly becoming a leader in the mental health industry. Jim used the relationships he had previously forged to garner support and provide for the mental health needs of Osceola County. He worked tirelessly over the next 20 years to ensure Park Place would be successful, and able to provide for the individuals who needed help the most. Jim remained committed to Park Place, until the day he went to be with Jesus, just the way he wanted it!
Jim was special in so many ways, his love for his community, family, friends, and most of all Jesus. He never allowed his success as a businessman to interfere with the love he desired to show his family. He was a deeply devoted man of God, and with Elaine committed to loving and serving the Lord with all his heart. Jim fulfilled his commitment to Jesus spiritually as a living testimony to all he encountered. He fulfilled his commitment physically, as he went on mission trips to Honduras, sang in the choir, and served as a Vestryman at both St. John's Episcopal Church and later Church of the Ascension when they moved to Orlando. However, the service he cherished the most was teaching Sunday School to young children every week. He was a giant of a man, with love for all and a soft spot in his heart for God's little ones. It was no different with his family, as you could easily recognize the love Jim had when he spoke of his children or grandchildren. That love was evident the day before he passed, when Jim's family gathered around his bedside to say their goodbyes. At one point Jim's eyes opened and his face lit up with a smile as he scanned the room making eye contact with one after another of his loved ones in the room.
Jim's commitment to marriage, love of his family, and belief in God, has left an incredible Christian influence on both his business and personal community. Well done, good and faithful servant, He will be sorely missed.
Jim is preceded in death by his daughter: Valli (Horner) Owen, and his son: Jon Luke Shanks.
Jim is survived by his wife, Elaine Shanks, 3 Children, 17 Grandchildren, 13 Great Grandchildren, and 1 Foster Child, listed below:
Grandchildren: Amanda (Sabra) and Josh Horner, Great Grandchildren: Elias and Leo
Son, Kelly Owen (Brenda), Grandchildren: Tyler, Garrett, and Ryne (Cassandra) Owen, Great Grandchildren, Paige, Zoey, Rose and Harper Owen
Son: Cole Shanks, Grand Children: Kaley (Brandon) Hart and Clay (Sarah) Shanks, Caleb and Blythe Shanks Great Grandchildren: Tara, and Kendall Hart
Grand Children: Zachary, Ezekiel (Lalie), Jon Dakota (Taylor), Kristopher Shanks, Great Grandchildren: Nataniel, Zayne, Benjamin, Jon, Robin, Kellin Shanks
Daughter: Kirsten (John) Rodgers, Grand Children: Geoffery, Aiden, Ciaran, and Niamh Rodgers
Foster Children: Betty (John) Sperry
A celebration of life will be held for Jim Shanks on September 2nd at 2:00 PM, at the Church of the Ascension, located at 4950 S Apopka-Vineland Road Orlando, 32819, with a reception to follow; both are open to the public.
In Lieu of Flowers, the Family is inviting individuals to make donations in his name to Park Place Behavioral Health Care, 208 Park Place Blvd, Kissimmee FL 34741. The donations will be used to further support two of his ongoing projects the Dillingham Apartments, an affordable living supportive housing project for those with serious mental illness and the Development of the June Street Residential long term substance abuse program building.