Johnny D. Shannon

Johnny Dell Shannon was born in Austin, Texas on May 24th, 1952 to Johnny Dee & Jewell Bernice Shannon. Johnny was the 4th child of 14 children. Johnny’s younger years were spent in Austin, Tx., His family moved to Bertram Tx., in the early sixty’s and from there, he went to high school in Florence Tx., where he rodeoed, and made some life long friends.

Johnny volunteered for the U.S. Army during the Viet Nam Era but was stationed in the USA. After his time in the service, he worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad. At that time he married and started a family. He had one son Colter, and had two grandsons, Weston & Carson. Johnny worked in Construction, poured concrete, did carpentry work, and ran heavy equipment, welder, built fences, and drove big rigs nation wide.

Johnny was a member of the First Baptist Church– Bertram, and he loved Jesus and gave his heart to him long ago, and had a good relationship with him. Johnny knew one day he would have a home in heaven, and didn’t have any doubts about it. Those that know him well, know he had no doubts because many times very serious he would say, my relationship with Jesus is my business, you tend to yours, but know this, Jesus will accept you just as you are so place your trust in him, I did….. Johnny said Jesus walked right beside him all the time, even when he strayed, he said Jesus never left him, because he felt his love and presence in his heart.

Johnny was not a man of many words, he believed if you can’t say something good, don’t say nothing at all. Johnny loved animals especially dogs, and they loved him back, that includes his little dog Julie, that he loved so much. His siblings remember growing up when they played outdoors, Johnny always wanted to be the dog, or the Indian when playing Cowboys and Indians..

Johnny also loved good old country music, horses, The Dallas Cowboys & hunting & fishing, western movies, telling old stories, digging arrowheads. Oh we must not forget how he loved Indians and had a special love for them, and had a beautiful collection of Indian Arrow heads he collected over the years. Johnny had a green thumb and could grow a good garden, he enjoyed growing tomatoes and fresh vegetables and shared his harvest with others.

He was funny and could make you laugh, without even trying to. At times he might even break out into a Zorba The Greek Dance for you like Anthony Quinn. He was the only man we ever knew that could set a trotline laying down, if you ever fished with him you know what we mean. Johnny was also a good cook and Bar B Quer, that is, if you weren’t in a hurry to eat. Just another little laugh, between family members.

Johnny was a good dancer too, he could waltz you right off the face of the earth and you would never know it. All the girls would rush to find him on the dance floor when a waltz was played. He also loved George Strait music.

Johnny was a QUIET cowboy most of the time, but In his younger days, he could rowdy on down with the best of them, and a smart person wouldn't challenge him to a showdown, because it might just take a while.

He loved his nieces and nephews very much and stayed in touch with them often. They nicknamed him Captain Call from the character of, The Lonesome Dove Movie, and if you knew him, that was just about right too. He & Uncle Rocky were their Hero’s growing up.

Johnny Dell had a heart as big as Texas. He was always there when you needed him, whether he was able to do anything or not, he was always there, and he had a good ear to listen, and what you said to him, he kept to himself and never shared it with anyone.

Johnny worked hard, paid his debts, loved his country and the American Flag and what it symbolized, and he always took a stand for what he believed in, and if troubled times found you he would stand with you. He would give you his last dime if you needed it, knowing he needed it more than you did, but that’s how he rolled.

His love for his brothers and sisters & friends was very deep, even though he might of kept it to himself, we all knew he loved us. No love was greater than that for his son Colter. Having a child didn’t come with a manual, he said and he made mistakes along the way, and through it all, his love for Colter lived on.

Johnny believed that no matter what happens in life, there is always that small voice reminding you to forgive or you won’t be forgiven yourself, and he lived by it.

On this day, about now, he is celebrating with Jesus and his family & friends in heaven and as we say “HE’S GONE” they are shouting “HERE HE COMES”.

Johnny is preceded in death by his parents Johnnie Dee & Jewel Bernice Shannon. Five siblings, Bonnie, Billy, David, Emily Shannon, Rachael Shannon Shaw.

Johnny is survived by one son, Colter Shannon Underwood & wife Raquel two grandsons Westen & Carson. Eight siblings: Two brothers Rocky & Shane Shannon and their families.

Six sisters, and their families Lynda Pogue, Cassie Davidson, Mona Mitchell, Tonie’ Moya, Patty Salazar, Nickie Porras, Numerous nieces and nephews and cousins.

Johnny thanks all of his family & friends for the love they have shown him and the many prayers, especially those who helped him along the way. They are, to name a few: Lynda, Cassie, Mona, Tonie, Patty & Nickie; Rocky and Adene, Shane and Leah Shannon and Gaylon Shannon, John Davidson, David & Mary Donica, Raven & Steve Deleon, Johnny & Mona Mitchell, Natalie and Dale Laughlin, Levi and Linsey, Gale Beavers, Mike Greene, Herman Lee Wright.

A special thank you, to his life long friends, Debbie Gallaway Jones, Donna Caskey, Lue & Levi Wilhite for their love care and support for Johnny and our family.

Those named as pallbearers were Gaylon Shannon, David Donica, Jeff Martin, Shane Shannon, John Davidson and Steve Deleon. Honorary pallbearers named ware Rocky Shannon, Josiah Borst, Robert Pogue, Johnny Mitchell, Dennis Browning, Levi Wilhite, Mike Greene, Herman Wright and Gale Beavers. And in spirit Jr. McAndrew and Larry Martin)

Funeral services will be held Monday, June 3, 2024 at 1:00 PM at the First Baptist Church in Bertram officiated by Pastor Ricky Lindsey. A family visitation and gathering will be held one hour prior to the funeral at the Church. Burial with military honors will follow at Bear Creek cemetery.