David Milton Shanahan

1935 - 2017

David Milton Shanahan obituary, 1935-2017, Durango, CO

BORN

1935

DIED

2017

David Shanahan Obituary

David Milton Shanahan (9/13/1935 - 8/23/2017) passed from this life on earth just short of his 82nd birthday.

David was born in Glendale, CA to Ferrelle & Walter Shanahan. He had a life-long love of driving trucks and being on the road. As a boy, David would bicycle with his Brownie camera to the nearest truck route in Glendale and spend the day taking photos. He would spread all the photos on his bed, knew every make of 18-wheeler, and dreamed of the day he would be behind the wheel of a big rig.

After high school, David enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served an active duty tour during the Korean War in Germany as a medic. He also served 8 years in the Army Reserves.

Upon returning to Glendale he drove for Cal-Ray Bakery delivering cookies to grocery stores. Mutual friends introduced David to Jean Kaizoji of Los Angeles, CA. They married in 1962, and enjoyed a long and happy marriage of over 40 years together. David and Jean made their first home in the woods of Estacada, OR where their two daughters Kelly and Miya were born.

David spent 40 years as a long-distance trucker mostly driving a west coast route between San Diego, CA and Vancouver, Canada. David and Jean wanted to be closer to their families, so they moved back to southern California. Eventually they bought a small avocado farm and lived in Fallbrook, CA. Upon retirement, David and Jean sold their place, bought their dream RV and enjoyed the freedom of life on the road. Half of the year they would headquarter in northern California with Miya's family including grandson Sam and son-in-law Eric, and then spent the rest of the year in Durango, CO with Kelly, granddaughter Hannah, and son-in-law Randy.

David valued time spent with family and devoted countless vacations driving his extended Kaizoji and Shanahan families to national parks and camping sites across the west. He enjoyed watching sports, especially Bronco and Charger games. David was always in search of a great margarita on the rocks. He had a keen sense of humor and was an excellent writer of letters. He enjoyed reading, and some of his favorite authors were Hunter S. Thompson and Kinky Freidman. David took every opportunity to drive the RV to places like Lees Ferry, AZ along the Colorado River, and Pillar Point at Half Moon Bay, CA. He loved all the dogs he ever had with special affection toward his traveling companion Buddy.

One brother preceded David in passing: Donald of Cathlamet, WA. Three remaining siblings are Thomas of Aptos, CA; Paul of Fairbanks, AK, and Ruth who resides in Durango, CO.

A memorial service is scheduled at a later date to take place at Half Moon Bay, CA.

Published by The Durango Herald on Oct. 2, 2017.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for David Shanahan

Not sure what to say?





0 Entries

Be the first to post a memory or condolences.

Make a Donation
in David Shanahan's name

Memorial Events
for David Shanahan

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

How to support David's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor David Shanahan's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more