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Shinn, Thurston (Jr.) Arthur, Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class, USN
Deceased: May 9, 1924 – November 7, 2012
 

 

 

 

 

 


Enlisted:

Boot Camp:

Battle Station while aboard DD 803:

Discharged: ,





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Thurston Arthur Shinn, Jr., age 88, of Clarion, formerly of La Habra, California, died on Wednesday, November 7, at the Clarion Hospital.

Born May 9, 1924, in Burbank CA, he was the son of the late Thurston A. Shinn, Sr., and Margaret N. Scarratt Shinn-Olson.

As an infant, at age 2, he was adopted by his late maternal grandmother, Viola Westfall Scarratt and grandfather Cyrus Scarratt and they raised him with the exception of 1931-32 during the Great Depression years when he lived with his foster parents, Aunt Lyna William Martin, and Uncle George Tarman Martin, Sr., both now deceased.

He graduated from Sebring High School, Sebring OH in 1946 after returning from overseas in World War II. He was a graduate of Los Angeles City College in 1949, and then attended the University of Southern California (USC) studying civil engineering.

Mr. Shinn was a veteran of World War II, and enlisted at 17 years of age on January 10, 1942 in the United States Navy in Los Angeles CA. He served in the North Pacific Campaign retaking Attu and Kiska Islands from Japan serving with PT Boat Squadron 13, and in the South-East Pacific on the destroyer USS Little D.D. 803. He was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon (CAR), American Campaign Medal with one Bronze Star, Victory Medal WW II, and the Navy Good Conduct Medal. He was discharged on January 30, 1946 from the Naval Hospital, San Diego CA, as a Petty Officer Gunner Mate First Class. On his last ship, LSMR 404, he held the rank of Acting Chief Gunner’s Mate.

He first married Genevieve L. Walters of Knox, July 8, 1944 in Glendale CA. He met her on Saturday in Washington DC, proposed the next day, Sunday, gave her the ring on Friday had a marriage of 53 1/2 years. She died on December 27, 1997 in La Habra Heights CA.

On April 11, 1999, he married Althea M. Weaver-Cherico, his first wife’s life-long girl friend from school days. She preceded him in death on July 1, 2005.

After World War II and college, he was employed at the Los Angeles County Road Department in mountain road construction. In August 1957, he resigned from the County of Los Angeles and went into private land surveying and civil engineering practice. During his period at the Road Department, he passed the State of California Land Surveyor examination, and was licensed on August 15, 1955. In September 1956, he passed and was licensed as an Engineering Contractor Class “A.”

Mr. Shinn was a life member of the National Rifle Association, American Motorcycle Association, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4682, Catalina Island CA.

He was a former member of the B.I.A. (Building Industry Association) of California, serving as local chapter President for 6 years, the appointed, and elected to the State Executive Board as Vice-president of Legislation for both state and federal in regards to housing. He was elected National Representative for California to the Council of National Representatives for the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Washington DC for 1969 and 1970. He was elected President of the B.I.A. of California 1973-74.

He is survived by his son, George T. Shinn and wife Sharon of Truth or Consequences NM, step-daughter, Annette Cherico Steele and her husband Gil of Knox, grandchildren, Denise Shinn Bell and her husband Glen of Santa Monica CA, Jennifer Shinn Smith and her husband Steve of Catalina Island CA, Travis M. Shinn and his wife Elizabeth of Fort Worth TX, Gregg T. Shinn and his wife Maureen of El Cajon CA, Lauren Shinn of California, Elijah and Anna Shinn of New Mexico, step-granddaughters, Mindy Steele of KY, Krista Parsons and her husband Michael of Cincinnati OH and Becky Steele of Laramie WY, and Jerad Orcutt of Corning NY and Tyler Orcutt of Indiana PA, seven great-grandchildren, and one step-sister, Pauline (Polly) Steven Scott of Arkansas.

He was preceded in death by both of his beloved wives, his parents, his grand-parents, his foster parents, his son Thurston A. Shinn III, his foster brother George (Joe) T. Martin, Jr., and step-daughter Shirlee E. Cherico Orcutt.

There will be no visitation.

Funeral services will be held at the Goble Funeral Home and Crematory, 330 Wood Street,
Clarion, at 2:00pm on Tuesday, November 12, with Rev. Harold O. Jacobson, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Clarion, officiating. Military service will be conducted by the American Legion Post 66 immediately preceding the funeral at 2:00pm. Interment will be beside his wife Genevieve in the Knox Union Cemetery.

The family suggests memorial donations be made to the Clarion-Forest Visiting Nurse Association.

Arrangements are under the care of the Goble Funeral Home and Crematory in Clarion. Friends and family can leave online condolences, share memories, and obtain additional information by visiting the funeral home website at http://www.goblefh.net.

http://explorevenango.com/thurston-arthur-shinn-jr/



Knox Union Cemetery