Obituary of George Thomas Shannon

George Thomas”G.T.” Shannon, AKA Tommy or G.T. G.T. 83, passed away Wednesday; January 8, 2025 at his home in Burgin after a battle with leukemia. He was born 8 Oct 1941, Curdsville Rd, Mercer County, Ky, to Bessie Carrier Shannon and William (Bill) Shannon both of Burgin. He married his high school sweetheart, Dolores Freeman who passed away in 2018. He is survived by: their three children: Tim (Sonya) Shannon, Leia (Dwayne) Norman, and Sherri Shannon; seven grand children and seven great-grand-children; sister: Patricia Phelps of Stanford and his Fiancée; Wilma Yates Baker of Lexington and her bonus family, and fur babies Gracie and Bandit. In addition to his wife, Dolores, he was preceded in death by his mother and father, and twin brothers Bennie Michael and Lennie Patrick Shannon. G.T. was a 1960 graduate of Burgin High School, where he played football and basketball. He also completed various courses, such as: aviation technical, leadership, oral and written communications, faculty development, maintenance management, and personnel management for executives courses while serving in the U.S. Army and while working as a Federal Civil Servant. He served six years in the U.S. Army and four years in the Kentucky National Guard. He worked as Assistant Manager Southern States Co-Op at the Danville and Harrodsburg, KY, stores; Manager of Cane Run Fishing Camp; Federal Civil Servant; and County (Mercer) Civil Servant. G.T. served the Federal Government 28.5 years before retiring January 4, 1993. During his Federal Civil Service career he was an Aircraft Technician, Aircraft Technical Inspector, Aircraft Repair Supervisor, Aircraft Inspector Foreman, Oil Analysis Management Specialist, Maintenance Management Specialist, and a Supervisory Oil Analysis Management Specialist. At retirement, he was a Supervisory Oil Analysis Management Specialist with the Department of Army, managing world-wide field operations of the Army Oil Analysis Program. G.T. was Fort Campbell’s 1980 Civilian Employee of The Year, trades and craft category. Also he was a decorated US Army Vietnam era veteran, and DoD Civil Servant receiving the following; Department of The Army Achievement Medal (civilian award), Army Commendation Medal W/ Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Metal, two awards of the Good Conduct Medal, Aircraft Crewman Badge, & Expert Rifle Badge. He also received the Commander’s Award for Civilian Service for his contributions to Operation Desert Shield / Storm. He served 5 years as Mayor of Burgin, KY, as well as serving about 8 years on the Burgin City Council. During Judge Executive Kenneth Kirkland's administration, G.T. served as Mercer County's Director of Services G.T. belonged to the Masonic Order, Mercer Lodge 777. He was a Kentucky Colonel, a charter member and president of the Rineyville Optimist Club and was Lt Governor, Zone 5, KY-WVA District of Optimist International. Visitation will be from 4-7 pm, Sunday; January 12, 2025 at the Ransdell Funeral Chapel in Harrodsburg. Funeral Service will be at 7 pm. Private burial will take place in the Camp Nelson National Cemetery, Nicholasville, KY. Memorial donations can be directed to the charity of your choosing. Messages can be left for the family at www.ransdellfuneralchapel.com