Forrest S. “Scott” Shannon passed away Thursday evening, October 9th, 2025. Scott was born on December 20, 1950, in Sabetha, KS, to Forrest Madison and Mary Alice (Johnson) Shannon.
After graduating from Hiawatha High School in 1968, Scott joined the United States Air Force, serving as a Fire Protection Specialist and then in the Air National Guard at Rosecrans until his honorable discharge in 1976. Scott met and married Margaret “Marty” Schrader in 1974. She survives of the home.
Scott lived and worked in Hamlin and Hiawatha as a carrier for the KC Star, partsman, and used car dealer until he and Marty retired and moved to Kansas City, MO in 2012.
Scott was a mechanic and loved working on classic cars. He enjoyed old TV shows and movies (Elvis and old westerns), and the Hallmark Channel he was a sucker for a happy ending. He loved playing with his cats Khalee and Kato were his little buddies and followed him around the house. Kato would stare at him when it was time for bed (or howl miserably when he thought it was time for a snack). He was always up for a road tripwhether it was just going out to eat, a longer trip to find a new (old) car, or going on vacation to Estes Park, Yellowstone, or any of the other marvelous adventures we had. You could always find him in his recliner (with one or two cats) or under the hood of a car, and he always had grease under his nails. He loved talking to people and never met a stranger. In his retirement, he still enjoyed working on his collection of cars, working in the yard and garden, and spending time with his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Rosemary Ward. He is survived by 2 sons, Scott (Kirsten) Shannon of Murphy, TX, Thomas Shannon of Kansas City, MO, and one daughter, Julie Shannon of Kansas City, MO. He is survived by two brothers, David (Phyllis) Shannon of Hamlin, KS, and Jonathan Shannon of Hamlin, KS, and one sister, Shelly (Bill) Lucero of Topeka, KS. He is also survived by three grandsons, Matthew, Andrew, and Nathan, and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Scott didn’t want a funeral or any kind of fuss, so we’re honoring his wishes (his exact words were always “just cremate me and put me in a coffee can”). The immediate family celebrated his life with an informal and impromptu gathering on Sunday. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Scott’s memory to Samaritan’s Purse: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/memorial-page/scott-shannon-kansas-city-mo/
Forrest S. Shannon




