Shawn Tennison

Shawn Dee Tennison, 37, Springfield, passed away Sunday, December 26, 2010 following a long illness.

Shawn was born June 3, 1973 in Springfield, MO. He was a 1991 graduate of Humansville High School and attended Vatterott College where he earned a diploma in computer technology. On September 29, 2001, He and Terri L. Jolley were united in marriage. They were married for seven years and to this union, one child, Shannon Elizabeth Tennison was born.

Shawn enjoyed woodworking, assembling model cars and planes and tinkering with anything he could get his hands on. At an early age, Shawn developed a fascination for motorcycles. In his early teens, he could be found riding his dirt bike up and down the alley behind his home. He was a War history enthusiast and could often be found watching war movies and documentaries. However, Shawn's favorite past time was eating. Anyone who knew Shawn knows how he loved food. In recent years, he took joy in cooking and discovered he had a talent for making sushi. Shawn's true love was spending time with his friends and family. Nothing put a bigger smile on his face than spending time with those he loved, especially his little girl and only niece. Although often times cantankerous and gruff, the most common shared opinion of Shawn from those who knew him was how big his heart was. It is hard to imagine how such a small frame could contain so much compassion and love.

Shawn was preceded in death by his father, Jim Taylor, grandparents, M.F. and Gladys I. Tennison, and Dill and Amy Taylor and his uncles, Finley Tennison and Noel Ketchum. He is survived by his mother, Judy Taylor, daughters, Shannon Tennison and Chantra Tennison, his sister, Bobbie Taylor-Lynn and her husband, Casey Lynn, his niece, Amy Lynn, uncles, Orin Tennison, and wife, Terri, Ronnie Tennison, and wife, Donna, Allen Tennison, and wife, Cecelia, and Jack Tennison, and wife, Debbie, aunts, Ida Ketchum, and Barbara Dutton, and husband, Joe and several cousins and many close friends.

The family would like to express their thanks and appreciation to all of those who have cared for Shawn. Without these exceptional people, the past six years with Shawn would not have been possible.

Funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday December 31, 2010 in Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home, 500 E. Walnut St.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home.

Online condolences can be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.