Conservative Oklahoma Radio Talk Show Host Mark Shannon Dies

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Conservative Oklahoma City radio show host Mark Shannon died at his home shortly after midnight Saturday.

Shannon, 58, was diagnosed with leukemia in 2000. He was released from Baptist Integris Hospital Friday afternoon.

On his web site blog, Shannon said recently that his condition was worsening and though he was not giving up, he was preparing for death.

"I've had a life blessed beyond what I deserve, and I have few regrets," he wrote. "If my time here is up, then I am confident that God will prepare me, much as everything leading up to this point in my life has prepared me for the next step in life."

Newsradio 1000 KTOK published a statement from his wife, Kris: "I would like to thank all his fans, friends, family and co-workers for all the prayers, love and support that they've given him throughout the years and especially during this last week. Mark believed in Jesus Christ, and he is now at home with his Father in Heaven."

Mark Shannon was originally from Lincoln, Nebraska. He served in the U.S. Navy where he was an air traffic controller.

His radio career began in 1974 in Montrose, Colorado as Mark Stone. He also worked as a disc jockey in Sioux City, Iowa and Amarillo, Texas.

His Oklahoma City career began in 1983 with a seven-year stint at KJYO. He moved to KRXO for eight years where his show was sometimes described as "Rush Limbaugh meets Howard Stern," according to the biography page on markshannon.com.

Mark Shannon began working as a talk radio host on Newsradio 1000 KTOK in December, 2007. He was an active participant in the Tea Party Movement.

Shannon was an avid golfer and dog lover. He is survived by his wife, Kris.

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