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Samuel Shanks Obituary
Samuel Lee Shanks, Jr. died suddenly on Monday, November 14, 2005 at his beloved home, The Clearing, at Cobbs Creek in Mathews County, VA where he moved from Loudoun County in 1989 upon retirement.
He was born September 3, 1927 in Georgetown Hospital, Washington, D.C., the son of the late Samuel Lee Shanks and Louise Bertha Krauss Shanks. He was preceded in death by his only sister, Mary Lee S. Howard.
Mr. Shanks graduated from Wilson High School in Washington, D.C. where he was president of his class. He then served 2 years in the U.S. Army in the 33rd Field Artillery in Germany as part of the immediate post-WWII troops.
He attended the University of Virginia in Charlottesville where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.
He was retired from Fairfax County Government serving as the first Head of Land Acquisition.
He was a member of the Mathews Yacht Club where he had served on the Board of Directors.
Mr. Shanks was a man of great integrity, enormous wit, and much charm. He will be remembered as a raconteur. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Janice Claire Harris Shanks, of Cobbs Creek, his beloved daughter, Mary Lee S. Walden and her husband, James Whitfield Walden; two dear grandsons, Winston Whitfield Walden and Taylor DuFief Walden, all of Deltaville. He also leaves two nieces and one nephew and many second cousins in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Memorial Services for Mr. Shanks will be held 11:00 a.m., Thursday, November 17, 2005 at Christ Church, Kingston Parish, on Williams Wharf Road in Mathews, VA. Interment will be in the Kingston Parish Cemetery. A reception following the service will be held at the Parish House on Main Street in Mathews.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Mathews Rescue Squad, PO Box 723, Mathews, VA 23109, to the Lower Middlesex Volunteer Fire Dept., PO Box 440, Deltaville, VA 23043, where his son-in-law is Volunteer Chief, or the Mathews Volunteer Fire Dept., PO Box 1130, Mathews, VA 23109.
Foster-Faulkner Funeral Home, Mathews, is in charge of the arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Samuel Shanks
Bob & Barbara Walthall
November 29, 2005
Janice, we are so sorry to hear about Sam. As you can see we do not look at our e-mails very often. Our hearts go out to you.
Bob and Barbara
Wynona Crush
November 18, 2005
Janice, our thoughts and prayers are with you, Mary Lee and families. Sam will always be a part of our special memories. Love, Tiny & Bob
Edward & Mary Lou Moore
November 17, 2005
Janice,
It was very sad news to hear about Sam. We are thankful for your visit to our home in Florida and what fun to listen to Sam & Ed reminising about those days working for Fairfax County. Lots of good stories and memories were shared. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Ronald & Camille Walthall
November 16, 2005
Janice, we love you & Sam. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families. We will not attend the service for Sam due to illness. We fondly remember Sam as one of our family.
Love,
Ronald & Camille
June & Ray Hamm
November 16, 2005
Janice & family we are thinking of you and will keep you in our prayers. Memories are the legacy of love.
From your Texas cousins,
Love,
June & Ray
ROBIN FLETCHER
November 16, 2005
MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO ALL THE FAMILY. MR. SHANKS WAS SUCH A WONDERFUL PERSON AND SO DOWN TO EARTH. YOU WILL BE IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS
Vickie Reed
November 16, 2005
Janice and Mary Lee
You will be in my prayers.
Vickie(Edwin and Clorice's daughter)
Plunket Beirne
November 16, 2005
My high school years were certainly enriched by knowing Mr. Shanks. I'll always treasure "Saloon" being sung on the Story's porch. My best and prayers to all.
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