John R. Shealy

Passed away on Monday, February 29th, 2016 at his home and in the hands of his loving wife and daughter after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis.

John was born in Crystal Springs, Mississippi to Idabel and Grover Cleveland Shealy. He suffered a grave loss at the early age of 8 when he lost both his parents and was then taken in and raised by the Young family, also of Crystal Springs. His siblings Grover Cleveland Shealy, Gene Tate and Grace Shealy all were sent different ways upon the death of their parents and it wasn’t until much later in his life was he able to find and finally reunite with his beloved siblings.

John joined the US Army and served 20 loyal years, retiring as one of the youngest Lt. Col. at the age of 38. He earned many awards while servicing, including the Army Commendation Medal and the Bronze Star with V for Valor during his combat experience in the Korean War. An advocate of continual learning he completed his education via night school and ultimately graduated from the University of Maryland. In the early days of his military career he meet and married his bride for life, Lillian. They were married on June 30th 1952 in El Paso, Texas.

After his career in the military, he joined the prestigious investment firm of Merrill Lynch where he spent the next 50 years building his second career. He became a First Vice President, working in Denver, Co and finally in Colorado Springs. He so loved his work, made many friends and was most thankful and appreciative for his many experiences, travels and memories at Merrill Lynch.

John’s passion was to always ensure and care for the safety, health, love and wellbeing of his family and friends. He mastered that passion. We learned so much from his invaluable ability to care; he truly made a difference in all those lives he so supportively touched.

John is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Lillian; daughter, Kathryn Jones and her husband Charlie; son, John and his wife Patricia; daughter, Susan Carlyon and her husband Robert; 6 grandchildren, Jennifer Jones; John, Westly and Davis Shealy; Lara and Melanie Carlyon; and 5 great grandchildren.

Friends and family are invited to attend a Visitation to be held at Swan Law Funeral Directors, 501 North Cascade Ave, Colorado Springs on Thursday, March 3rd, 2016 from 3-5 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to:

American Lung Association

5600 Greenwood Plaza Blvd Suite 100

Greenwood Village CO 80111

Pike Peak Hospice and Palliative Care

2550 Tenderfoot Hill St

Colorado Springs, CO 80906

In memory of John R. Shealy

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