Wilburn Allen Shannon

Al Shannon passed away on September 22, 2025. He began his life in Springfield, Tennessee on June 21, 1941. He was the oldest of four children. Later his family moved to Glenview, Illinois, where he attended Glenview High School. His father received a full scholarship to Harvard University to obtain a Doctorate of Education. Al, siblings and mother stayed behind, so they could continue their schooling in Glenview. After high school, he attended Kendall College in Evanston, Illinois. In 1961, he completed their two-year junior course requirements and was awarded an Associate of Arts Degree.

Since his family was from Tennessee, his father thought it would be best for him and his brother to attend Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. That is where he met his wife. He became a member of Sigma Club for Academic Achievement and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1964. Upon graduation, he attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, where he earned a Master’s degree in 1967. He continued his education there and earned a Ph.D. in Biology in 1971. At Vanderbilt, he was elected a member of the Society of the Sigma XI, the Scientific Research Honor Society. After graduation, he went to Boston, Massachusetts, to work as an Associate in Pathology at Harvard University and as an Assistant in Pathology at Massachusetts General Hospital. Following that position, he went to work at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. He was also appointed an Associate at Johns Hopkins Medical School. After three years there, he accepted a position in Dallas, Texas, running his own research lab at the VA Hospital and teaching Cell Biology at Southwestern Medical School.

After ten years in the medical field, he became interested in commercial real estate and joined Henry S. Miller as a commercial real estate broker. Then, fifteen years later he was asked by the president and founder of CoStar Group, a commercial real estate data services firm, to come to work for him. He retired from there at age 73.

He is survived by his wife, Carol Ann Shannon of 62 years; sons, Wilburn Allen Shannon, III, and wife Amy Shannon, Chris Shannon and wife Heather Shannon; grandchildren; Avery Shannon, Mary Margaret Shannon, Kenzie Shannon, and Hunter Allen Shannon. His brother, John Shannon in St. Louis, Missouri, and sister, Mary Shannon in Madison, Wisconsin.

Al will be deeply missed by all of his family. He will be remembered most for the love he had for God and family. His grandchildren were the most incredible blessing later in his life. He lived for their frequent visits and text messages. The most important thing about Al is that he was truly a faithful follower of his Lord and Savior, JESUS CHRIST.