1924
2017
Jerry A Shannon, Jr. died peacefully on May 30, 2017 at A.O. Fox Memorial Nursing Home. He was born March 31, 1924 on Shannon Hill in Meshoppen, PA, the son of Jeremiah (Jerry) A. Shannon and Grace Roach Shannon.
Jerry graduated from Meshoppen, PA High School. In 1942, he enlisted in the United States Army and served with the 78th (Lightning) Division in three World War II campaigns in the European Theater of Operations (Rhineland, Ardennes, and Central Europe) as a member of a machine gun platoon. He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge with the accompanying Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart medal, the Presidential Unit Citation and the World War II Occupation (Germany) medal. He was honorably discharged in 1946. He visited the World War II Monument in Washington, DC in 2009 as a participant in the Honor Flight program.
Attending college on the GI Bill, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree at the State Teachers' College, Mansfield, PA (now Mansfield University); a Master of Arts degree at Peabody (now Vanderbilt University), Nashville, TN; and a Doctor of Education degree at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
A science educator, Jerry taught high school biology in Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Indiana and New York. At the college level, he taught at Wisconsin State University in Oshkosh, Iowa State Teachers College (now University of Northern Iowa) in Cedar Falls and the State University College at Oneonta, where he served as chairman of the Science Education Department. He retired from SUNY Oneonta after 33 years of service and became Professor Emeritus. He was primarily concerned with preparing teachers at the secondary level and local environmental-oriented science at the elementary level.
He was involved with the National Audubon Society and the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society, as well as the Science Teachers Association of New York State, the United University Professions and was a member of the Greater Oneonta Historical Society.
He was charter and life member as well as Past Commander of Davenport, NY Memorial Post 487 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars; Past Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Council and Past Historian of the Department of NY Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was also a life member of Oneonta Chapter 200 Disabled American Veterans, serving many years as Treasurer, and a life member of the 78th Veterans Association.
Jerry is survived by daughter, Kathleen Ann Shannon Seattle, WA; daughter, Maureen Ann Shannon Salzer and Matthew Salzer of Tucson, AZ and grandchildren, Timothy and Alison; daughter, Lizabeth Ann Shannon of Oneonta; son, John Aaron Shannon and Heather Shannon of Jacksonville, NC and grandchildren, Connor and Elizabeth; cousin, Jayne Wheeler of Binghamton, NY; nieces, nephews and their spouses and children.
He was predeceased by his wife, the former Collette Joan Lake, to whom he was married for 56 years and sisters, Dorothy of Meshoppen, PA and Mae Shannon Grose of Laceyville, PA.
A memorial service with military honors for Jerry A Shannon, Jr. who died peacefully on May 30, 2017 at A.O. Fox Memorial Nursing Home, will take place on Friday, July 21, 2017 at 2 pm at the First United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut Street, Oneonta, with Rev. Theresa Sivers officiating.
Burial will take place the following day on Saturday, July 22, 2017 at 11 am in Jersey Hill Cemetery, Rte 267, Auburn Center, PA.
In lieu of flowers the family wishes memorial contributions be made to either the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society, PO Box 544, Oneonta, NY 13820, the Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 or to the charity of one's choice in loving memory of Jerry A Shannon, Jr.
Condolences to the family may be offered online by visiting www.grummonsfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home of Oneonta, NY.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home.
4 Entries
June 11, 2017
I began my university teaching career at SUNY Oneonta where I had the pleasure to work with Jerry (and Don Russ) in the Science Education Department. Jerry was a valuable and helpful colleague for this rookie assistant professor.
Peter M. Mecca (Herndon, VA)
June 7, 2017
Richard Denicore
As a colleague I found Jerry to be most helpful, knowledgeable and conscientious. His knowledge of the department historical record was always cogent, his recommendations unfailingly sound, his preparation thorough. He was a valued colleague and an exceptional leader.
June 6, 2017
Jamie Potter
Janet and I had the great pleasure of knowing "Mr. Shannon" and his family going back to our college days in the 1970's at SUCO. Later, at our business Pie In The Sky, Jerry and clan were regular customers, especially at Sunday morning pancake breakfasts. He was a fine man and it was always a pleasure to see him! Jamie Potter and Janet Powers/Otego
June 5, 2017
Vincent Foti
Had the pleasure of having had Jerry as a teacher in the 50's and a colleague at SUNY Oneonta for nearly 30 years. He was a talented and respected faculty member who made many valuable contributions to the college. He was one of a kind and will be sorely missed.
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