Obituary : Dr Larry Robert Shannon

DR. LARRY ROBERT SHANNON

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SHANNON, DR. LARRY ROBERT Dr. Larry Robert Shannon, age 79, passed away peacefully after a courageous six year battle with Alzheimer's. He was born the son of Helen and Paul Shannon in Youngstown, OH. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved brother Joel Arlington Shannon. 

He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Dr. Mildred E. Howell of Birmingham, AL, his brother David Pine Shannon (Patsy) of Palm Coast, FL, his sister Kathleen Shannon Gardner (Donald) of Savannah, GA and his children: son Paul Robert Shannon (Monica) of Raleigh, NC, daughter Dr. Martha Shannon Tonge (Andrew) of Jefferson, GA, son Thomas Battle Shannon (Jeanne) of Rocky Mount, NC, son Isak Jordan Howell (Christine) of Lewisburg, WV, and son Dr. Lucius Alexander Howell (Sarah) of New Orleans, LA; his niece Claire, his nephew Jory; and ten grandchildren: Battle, George, Tan, T.J., Elsa, Drew, Ellie, Ivy, Junius, & Lucius II. 

Larry graduated high school from Sewanee Military Academy In 1951 where he was varsity team captain of the football and swim teams. He received an athletic scholarship in swimming to The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and a four year letterman in swimming. Graduating in 1955 with a degree in history, he served two years in the US Army during the Korean War before returning to Birmingham in 1959. 

Larry graduated from The University of Alabama School of Dentistry in Birmingham and became board certified in Pediatric Dentistry before opening his dental practice in Vestavia Hills, AL. While in dental school, he coached swimming at many clubs across Birmingham and was never far from a pool or practice. Because he loved what he did, Larry "never worked a day" while treating thousands of children in his 35 years of dental practice. He retired from his dental practice in 2000 and relocated to a busy life at Pensacola Beach, FL where he entertained his many friends and abundant family. 

Larry was an early member of The Church of the Ascension in Vestavia Hills, AL. His efforts helped build the foundation for a thriving congregation, day school, and outreach programs. 

He also enjoyed a lifelong enjoyment of sailing. He was a charter member of the Birmingham Sailing Club on Lake Logan Martin where his enthusiasm helped build the competitive, yet friendly, environment that exists today. He pursued his interest in sailing by competing at the national level in several classes of sailboat. His sailing legacy is carried on by the many people he introduced to the sport. He continued his swimming career late into his life through the US Masters Swimming program where he "could be young again every five years". He participated in several Swimming World Championships in exotic international locations. 

He loved his family and continually sought out reasons for them to spend time together - usually enjoying the outdoors by scuba diving, rafting and touring the country in THE Brown Van. Most of all, Larry will be remembered by all who knew him as a kind and gentle man. He was generous with his knowledge, his time and his approval. His extraordinary ability to make and maintain lifelong friends made Larry special to many people around the world. To meet Larry, was to love Larry. 

A memorial to Larry's life will be held on Sunday, April 29 at 3:00 in the Chapel at Independent Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Junior Sailing Program at Birmingham Sailing Club (www.birminghamsailingclub.org) would be appreciated by the family. >

Published in The Birmingham News from April 25 to April 27, 2012