FAY OLIVER SHANKS

Fay Oliver Shanks passed away on December 3, 2011 at St. John's Hospital in Springfield, MO. Fay was born on June 5 1912 to Hardy and Grace (Pitcock) Shanks near Souder, MO.

Fay was a hard worker who had many different jobs in his long life of 99 years. His first job was picking corn in Tarkio, MO when he left home at 17. He worked on farms, in factories and was a welder on the Bull Shoals and Table Rock Dams and the Palisades Dam in Idaho. He was co-owner of Morrison Lumber and Hardware in West Plains until he retired. He and wife, Classie, owned Shanks grocery in Zanoni and owned a beef cattle operation for several years in Ozark County. He was a life-long resident of Ozark County, leaving only for short periods of time to find work when necessary.

Fay was a long-time member of Smith Chapel Church of Christ near Gainesville and attended Center Point Church of Christ near Rogersville, after moving to Springfield in 2000 to be near his daughters and their families.
Fay loved his family and they loved him. He will be fondly remembered by his family and friends for his encouragement, perseverance, and positive attitude.

Fay is survived by his wife of 75 years, Classie, of the home; two daughters, Judith Fridge and her husband E.R. and Janice Miller and her husband Jim; three grandchildren, C. Nicholas Luna, J. Matthew Miller and Kara Limburg and her husband Rich, and two great-grandchildren, Katherine and Jacob Limburg, all of Springfield; a half-sister, Martha Dean of Gainesville; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Fay will be held Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at 2 pm in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home Chapel, Gainesville, MO with Vic Williams officiating. Burial will be in the Smith Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 1 pm to service time in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Fairhaven Children's Home, 3132 N. Fairhaven Loop, Strafford, MO 65757.