JOHN SHANNON GRAY, 56

John Shannon Gray, 56, passed away Thursday, July 21, 2011, in Canon City, Colorado. He was born in Cleveland, Tennessee, on December 17, 1954, to Joe Gray and Florence Campbell Gray. Shannon is preceded in death by his brother, Joe, and his step-father, Harmon E. Minor, Jr. Shannon graduated from Durango High School in Durango, Colorado, and served in the United States Navy.

He loved Alaska, where he resided for many years. While in Alaska, Shannon lived in Denali, Girdwood, and in Hope. He worked as an electrician in Denali and worked in restaurants in Girdwood and in Hope.

Shannon also worked with a botanist in Alaska gathering plants to be studied and considered for medicinal purposes.

Shannon is survived by his mother, Florence Minor, of Canon City, Colorado; sisters, Sandra Wentz and Andrea Townsend, of Texarkana, Texas, Marilyn Minor, of Canon City, Colorado, Judith Stooks (Doug), of Colorado Springs, Colorado; brother, Jack Minor (Stamie Lee), of Lafayette, Colorado; sister, Carol Lick (Dave), of Colorado Springs, Colorado; uncle, Jack Campbell (Becky), of Texas Creek, Colorado, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. A private service will be held by the family.