‘A very sweet man’: Henry Shannon, medical technologist and UMKC donor, dies at 89

Henry Shannon and his seven siblings learned at an early age the meaning of hard work.

Born and raised in rural Oklahoma, Shannon had to miss out on school at certain times to assist his family in farming crops and tending to livestock. Still, his parents pressed the importance of education upon him as a way into a better life.

That lesson stuck with Shannon and passed down to his daughter.

“His parents were farmers, and they were from a long line of farmers,” says daughter Pamela. “He had to work hard, and they were still expected to get an education. He would fall behind and have to work harder to catch up.”

Shannon, a medical technologist and native of Milo, Oklahoma, died Dec. 28 at 89 due to health complications It was just months after his wife died. His daughter is still adjusting to life without her two biggest supporters.

“I am doing as best as could be expected. Taking it one day at a time and trying to hang in there. He was a great father,” she says.

Her parents’ commitment to education gained a spotlight in 2006, when Shannon and his wife established the Endowed Lectureship on Minority Health at his alma mater, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, to help raise awareness about health care disparities.

His daughter recalls how her father would use those experiences growing up and put the same level of dedication and drive into being a good father, husband and member of the community. He moved to Kansas City in 1956 in search of a better life. He began medical training before being drafted into the Army, where he served until 1958. He then earned a bachelor’s in medical technology from UMKC and a master’s in health care administration from Central Michigan University.

He married his wife, Reaner, in 1960. Pamela was their only child.

“We had a household that was strong on education. Both of my parents had master’s degrees, and I knew it was their desire for me to get an education. He taught me that I had to work hard to get the things I wanted in life,” says Shannon, a 15-year veteran in the field of civil engineering.

His daughter remembers the mindset instilled by her father and a sense of determination infused into every task. She never recalls a moment when her father was idle.

Shannon was a man of strong religious faith who worked closely not only with the church but also volunteered at various community organizations, such as serving as president of fundraising for the Mid-Town Kiwanis.

Even with all of his work and initiatives, Shannon’s daughter says she could never remember a moment when her father was not there for his family.

“He was just a very present father in every way. As a child, he would take me to the park or out swimming. We traveled a lot as a family, and we took road trips. He definitely made an effort to spend quality time with me,” she says.

“He was definitely a selfless person who was just all about giving and was a very kind and considerate person. He was just a very sweet man who had great compassion for those in need. Up until the point of his passing, he was still helping and looking out for people.”

Other remembrances

Derieth Rone

Derieth Rone, a health care worker, died on Jan. 2. She was 95.

Rone was born May 3, 1927, and grew up in Kansas City, Kansas, the third of eight children. She was born to Thadies and Sampson McCurry. Growing up she was called Dee.

After she graduated from Sumner High School, Rone studied nutrition management and adult education at Kansas State University, the University of Kansas and Missouri University. After working at Michael Reese hospital in Chicago she returned to Kansas City, where she worked at General Hospital II, now University Health, and then University of Kansas Hospital.

At KU she became head of production, supervised the dietetic Intern program, and was an associate professor of dietetics. Later, she traveled the United States for the American Dietetic Association.

In this field, Rone touched many lives. After she retired, she did the things she loved, like cooking for her family and holding get-togethers at her home.

She also volunteered at Shepherd’s Center for many years, teaching a senior exercise class. She enjoyed reading mysteries, playing her electronic bridge game, puzzles and occasionally caring for grand-nieces and nephews.

In her later years, she continued her interest in self-improvement. She stayed up to date on current affairs, continued her quest for learning by reading, and loved Bible study. She was a member of Trinity AME church.

She is survived by siblings Jewell McLaurian and Bettie Lewallen, and a host of nieces and nephews.