In Memory Of
Douglas Gillette Shanks
1929
2022
Douglas Gillette Shanks
May 14, 1929 — June 23, 2022
Douglas Gillette Shanks passed away on Thursday June 23, 2022 at his home in Sylvania, Ohio. He was 93.
He was born on May 14, 1929 in Toledo, Ohio, the third child of five siblings to Bernice and Lankford Shanks. He grew up in the Sylvania area, and attended Burnham High School. From the very beginning he had a love for people, and a tremendous sense of humor. He wanted to be where people were gathered, and it was going to be fun. If they needed help, he would find a way to help them. He was an incredibly positive person, always looking on the bright side. If an obstacle or adversity came along his path he simply navigated around it. He would focus on the goal, not the problem. He also had a passion to find and create business opportunities starting with a little stand where he sold honey as a child. He worked at the Centennial Quarry making burgers and parking cars. And as he grew to be a young man, he entered the corporate world.
In 1949 he married the love of his life, Joyce Elaine Hammond in Toledo, Ohio. This he would consider his greatest accomplishment, for he loved and admired her greatly. Together they raised 6 children, and then were blessed with 16 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. An excellent and generous provider, he loved each one dearly and was always and ever their biggest fan no matter what.
Doug worked at a few companies over the years including Dundee Cement Company. Then in 1969, he left the corporate world and started his own company, which included among other things manufacturing heavy duty chain for industrial purposes. He eventually shifted to an import business which he still was involved with even at the age of 93.
When he wasn't working on his business, he loved attending auctions and searching for interesting treasures. In addition, Doug spent a lot of time making his yard simply beautiful. He also loved going to eat at his favorite local Denny's Restaurant where he got to know all of the staff.
He was ever curious, ever dreaming, ever creating. He was truly a fascinating and wonderful man. But most of all, he truly loved people.
Doug was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings Howard Shanks, Barbara Stevens, Nancy Iagulli, Charlotte Skerritt, his son Kevin Shanks, and his grandson "DJ" David Shanks Jr.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce Elaine Shanks, his children Douglas (Karin) Shanks of Ohio, Susan (Lawrence) Lear of Michigan, Amy (Troy) Kennedy of Michigan, Stacey (Matthew) Rall of Michigan, David (Shannon) Shanks of Florida, 15 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
Private family services will take place. He will be laid to rest at Toledo Memorial Park.
To view Doug's services via Live Stream, click here.
To share a memory of Doug or to leave a special message for his family, please click the "Share Memories" tab above.
He was born on May 14, 1929 in Toledo, Ohio, the third child of five siblings to Bernice and Lankford Shanks. He grew up in the Sylvania area, and attended Burnham High School. From the very beginning he had a love for people, and a tremendous sense of humor. He wanted to be where people were gathered, and it was going to be fun. If they needed help, he would find a way to help them. He was an incredibly positive person, always looking on the bright side. If an obstacle or adversity came along his path he simply navigated around it. He would focus on the goal, not the problem. He also had a passion to find and create business opportunities starting with a little stand where he sold honey as a child. He worked at the Centennial Quarry making burgers and parking cars. And as he grew to be a young man, he entered the corporate world.
In 1949 he married the love of his life, Joyce Elaine Hammond in Toledo, Ohio. This he would consider his greatest accomplishment, for he loved and admired her greatly. Together they raised 6 children, and then were blessed with 16 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. An excellent and generous provider, he loved each one dearly and was always and ever their biggest fan no matter what.
Doug worked at a few companies over the years including Dundee Cement Company. Then in 1969, he left the corporate world and started his own company, which included among other things manufacturing heavy duty chain for industrial purposes. He eventually shifted to an import business which he still was involved with even at the age of 93.
When he wasn't working on his business, he loved attending auctions and searching for interesting treasures. In addition, Doug spent a lot of time making his yard simply beautiful. He also loved going to eat at his favorite local Denny's Restaurant where he got to know all of the staff.
He was ever curious, ever dreaming, ever creating. He was truly a fascinating and wonderful man. But most of all, he truly loved people.
Doug was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings Howard Shanks, Barbara Stevens, Nancy Iagulli, Charlotte Skerritt, his son Kevin Shanks, and his grandson "DJ" David Shanks Jr.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce Elaine Shanks, his children Douglas (Karin) Shanks of Ohio, Susan (Lawrence) Lear of Michigan, Amy (Troy) Kennedy of Michigan, Stacey (Matthew) Rall of Michigan, David (Shannon) Shanks of Florida, 15 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
Private family services will take place. He will be laid to rest at Toledo Memorial Park.
To view Doug's services via Live Stream, click here.
To share a memory of Doug or to leave a special message for his family, please click the "Share Memories" tab above.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Douglas Gillette Shanks, please visit our flower store.
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