John Shaon

John Lewis Shaon, 71, Grand Forks, ND, passed away at Altru Hospital on December 28th 2007. He was born at home in Calwood, Missouri, on June 6th 1936, the third child of James Leonard Shaon and Viola (Newson) Shaon. John attended grade school in Millersburg and Fulton High School in Fulton, MO. He enlisted in the United States Air Force on February 2nd 1955 at 17 years of age. He completed his GED and college courses while in the military. He earned the rank of Master Sergeant, and was last assigned to the 319th Bomber Wing. He served his country with tours of duties in Korea, Japan, the Philippians, Germany, Newfoundland, Vietnam, and State Side. He retired after 20 years of service with the military, on May 1st, 1975. While stationed at the Grand Forks Air Force Base, he met and later married Lillian (Fincke Greenwood) on July 23rd, 1976. He began his second career with Nodak Rural Electric Cooperative in 1976 and worked for them as an Underground Trench Operator until his retirement in 1996. He enjoyed his job as he loved being outdoors and was very proud of the work that he did while at Nodak Rural Electric. John loved gardening and working in his yard. He looked forward to spring and putting together his many planters of flowers and took great pleasure in watching them grow over the summer. There was no limit on his flower or gardening budget. He spent hours planting, weeding, growing, and canning his crops. There was not a vegetable he did not grow. He usually had several garden plots every season: his backyard, Emerado, and even rented plots all over Grand Forks. He looked forward to getting his seed catalogs every winter and planning on paper his planting for the spring. He always gave away most of the things he grew, whether canned, pickled, or fresh from the garden. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Lillian Shaon, Grand Forks. His son Lewis Shaon, Ashland, MO, Stepdaughters, Lori (John) Petrick, Grand Forks, Carrie (Padraic) O'Brien, Boston, MA, Stepson, Brent (Elizabeth) Greenwood, Georgetown, KY, his mother, Viola Pierson, Fulton, MO, twin brothers, Volley, and Ollie (Barbara), both of Fulton, MO, sister, Viola "Elizabeth"(Claude) Kemp, Mokane, MO, brother Roy (Norma), Fulton, MO, Grandchildren, Micah, Savannah, Amy, Zack, Connor, Liam, Great Grandchildren, Joey and Jacob, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, and two older brothers, Russell Shaon and Charles "Mickey" Shaon.