It is with great sadness that the family of Gerald P. Shannon an

2008, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. He was born Aug. 6, 1932, in east Los Angeles, to Thomas K. Shannon and Marguerite Bedford.

After graduating from Cathedral High School in 1951, Jerry joined and served honorably in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War on the USS Ticonderoga. He received his aviation training in the field of air traffic control at the U.S. Naval Auxiliary Air Station at Cabaniss Field, Corpus Christi, Texas.

In 1954, he began his career with the FAA as an air traffic controller for the Los Angeles Air Traffic Control Center, where he met and married Verna Smilka. They, along with their daughter, Stacey, lived in Lancaster, Calif., until his retirement in 1976.

In 1977 they moved to the Mission Valley in Montana, where he resided until he 'went to be with the Lord.'

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Thomas, Clifford, William and Leroy; and sisters, Marjorie, Peggy and Monica.

Gerald is survived by his wife of 46 years, Verna, of Polson; daughter, Stacey Shannon, with grandsons, Kyle Hephner and Randy Hephner, all of Coeur d' Alene, Idaho; brother, Vince, of Woodburn, Ore.; sisters, Marie Turner of Glendale, Calif., and Eileen Richmond and her husband, Bill, of Burbank, Calif.; and numerous nieces, nephews and their families.

Jerry enjoyed golf, cooking special cuisine for his family and friends, and traveling to Coeur d' Alene to spend time with his daughter and grandsons.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, as well as a man of great faith and trust in Jesus Christ.

A celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, July 18, at the Polson Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, 46873 U.S. 93 N. in Polson, with the Rev. Frank Cummings officiating. A reception will follow the service in the church hall. Interment will follow at Lakeview Cemetery, with full military honors at 4 p.m.

Memorial donations in memory of Jerry may be made to the donor's choice.

The family is very grateful to the caring medical staff at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. Arrangements are under the care of Grogan Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com