Tilden M. “Bubba” Shanahan
? - April 17, 2022

Obituary​

Dedicated to Friends, Past and Present

T.M. “Bubba” Shanahan, age 89, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 17 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Bubba was born in 1933 in Greenville, MS. After graduating from high school, he worked summers to fund his undergraduate studies at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), where he was an active member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He also attended classes. Opting for Air Force ROTC, Bubba was assigned to USAF pilot training class 56M after graduating from Ole Miss. After training in Piper Cubs, T-6s and B-25s, he received an assignment to Mather Air Force Base in California where he flew T-29s. During this time in California, he met Barbara Brower on a blind date and married after a short courtship.

After his time in the Air Force, Bubba did a short stint as a salesman, but flying held a stronger lure. He hired on, briefly, with Frontier Air Lines as a DC-3 co-pilot. A furlough brought him to Atlanta, Georgia where he began a career at Southern Airways. He stayed in Atlanta the rest of his life. At Southern, Bubba flew as co-pilot and captain. He also held management positions from Atlanta base Assistant Chief Pilot all the way up to Vice-President of Flight Operations. From Southern (later known Republic Airlines), he made a few moves before joining Atlantic Southeast Airlines where he retired as Vice President of Flight Operations.

Parallel to his airline career, Bubba spent 20+ years in the Air Force Reserves with several calls to active duty. For those who know airplanes, his time aloft included the DC-3, Martin 404, DC- 9, HU-16 “Albatross”, C-123, and C-124, affectionately known as “Old Shaky” (the plane, not Bubba).

Along the way, Bubba and Barbara had four children, six dogs, a few heart heartaches, and countless adventures. Bubba faced all the joys and challenges of life with love and kindness always caring for those around him. He celebrated the successes and tolerated the antics of his children and six grandchildren, loved them unconditionally, and supported them whole heartedly. He and Barbara would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this fall.

Bubba was preceded in death by his parents, Marguerite Shanahan Stubblefield and Dan Shanahan, daughter Mary Catherine (“Katy”), and brother Dennis Paul “Denny” Shanahan. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; children Mark (Sue), Susan, David (Alicia); and grandchildren Sara, Elizabeth, Eileen, Kelly, Rachael, and Daniel. In their journey through Alzheimer’s, Bubba and Barbara have been blessed with the love and support of many, especially their niece Pat Brower and caregiver Ellyn Kowal.

Services are planned for May 20th, 2pm at All Saints Catholic Church in Dunwoody, GA with a gathering after the mass.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Bashor Homeless Mens Shelter where Bubba volunteered for many years. (https://centralnightshelter.org/donate)