Michael Francis Pacific Shearin

Mike Shearin, 77, of Columbia, MO passed away Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at the Harry S. Truman VA Hospital in Columbia. Visitation will be Thursday, October 5th from 10-11am at Memorial Funeral Home 1217 Business Loop 70 West Columbia, MO. Funeral services will begin at 11am, followed by burial, with full Military Honors, in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Mike was born September 17, 1946 in Chicago, IL to Robert Emmit and Florence Agnes Landerman Shearin, and was the youngest of their three children. Upon graduating from Mather High School in 1964, he joined the Marine Corps on his 18th birthday. After completing basic training, he was transferred to Communications and Electronics School at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot. He played football for the base before being transferred to Camp Lejeune, and seven months later he shipped out to South Viet Nam where he was eventually assigned to Radio Relay Repair. He concurrently volunteered for the Battalion Reactionary Platoon where he was promoted to Sergeant, took over duties of Platoon Guidon, extended his tour by six months, and then was honorably discharged on August 31, 1968.

Upon his return from the war, he enrolled at Illinois State University in Normal, completing his Bachelor’s Degree in 3 years. Two years later, he completed his Master’s Degree, and played one year of football. He worked three years in community mental health at Princeton, West Virginia, serving as Staff Psychologist and directed emergency services over a three county area. He later moved to Des Moines, IA and worked as a Clinical Supervisor of juvenile residents. He changed careers and worked as the State Director for Fidelity Union Life, recruiting and training new agents in Missouri and moved to Columbia in 1977.

His career aspiration was to become a Prison Psychologist, and he accepted a position working for the State Correctional Pre-release Center in Tipton, MO. From there he transferred to the Boonville Correctional Center where he served for thirteen months before accepting a promotion to the Missouri State Penitentiary at Jefferson City, MO. Borrowing skills he obtained from the Marines, he worked in several capacities in Super Maximum Security Centers and with inmates on Death Row. He was on the Emergency Squad and trained officers in defense tactics. He worked there for ten years before transferring to Biggs Forensic Center working for the Department of Mental Health in 1994. While completing all of this, he also joined the Army Reserves and trained as a basic medic qualifying as an Expert Field Medic and basic field medic trainer. He met the love of his life, Connie Lashbrook, on a blind date in June 1986, and married her thirteen months later on July 18, 1987.

While serving in Jefferson City he worked with incarcerated individuals, many of whom were also Viet Nam veterans, and together they created a self-help group. He learned of Viet Nam Veterans of America, a veteran’s service organization who accepted incarcerated veterans, including those with less than honorable discharges. He served on the State Council for VVA and was elected Vice-Chairman, and three years later he was elected President. During this time, he was serving as chairman of the Missouri Association of Veterans (MAVO) and was elected to the VVA National Board of Directors. He also served as a member of the Marine Corps League, American Legion, and the VFW. He authored at least one bill in Missouri and lobbied for several bills in Washington. Mike also served as Staff Advisor Volunteer for VVA Chapter 70 in Moberly, and Chapter 393 in Jefferson City.

Mike is survived by his wife, Connie; son, Adam Shearin of Columbia; two step-sons, Jeff (Donna) Kay of Ashland and Cory Kay of Lenexa, KS; six grandchildren, LaEabha Shearin, Pax Shearin, Angelina Reed, Skyler Kay, Isabella Kay, and Kaylin Shearin; siblings, Mary McCormick of Houston, TX and Dr. Robert (Maryann) Shearin of South Haven, MS; several nieces and nephews and a loving extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Central Missouri Honor Flight 1400 Forum Blvd Suite 7A, Box 334, Columbia, MO 65203.

Condolences and fond memories may be shared at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com