Leonard Wayne Shinn was born May 29, 1939, in Morgan. He passed to heaven March 30, 2022, in Austin.
Leonard graduated from Taylor High School in 1957, where he participated in student organizations including Student Council, Journalism (Duck Call) and Spanish Club. He and his friends created their own entertainment such as painting on the water tower, sneaking watermelons and flirting with the girls.
Leonard married his high school sweetheart Carolyn Appel in 1960, in a marriage that lasted almost 62 years. Leonard graduated from UT Austin with a BS in Engineering in 1962.
He started his career as an engineer at NASA near Houston, transitioned to Tracor in Austin (26 years), then to UT Applied Research Lab (11 years), retiring in 2003.
Leonard Wayne Shinn lived a thankful life full of love. He loved his children deeply and delighted in the love they returned. Leonard was respected by all who knew him, especially his family, friends and coworkers. His passion was living at the farm with Carolyn, his cows, peacocks other feathered friends, and a variety of farm animals.
Leonard was a kind, gentle man who lived out the beliefs that were foundational in his heart. His tender heart was filled with faith, hope, and love and grew bigger and bigger as the years passed.
He often said, “Hang loose and keep the faith!” He did it, and we can too, as we follow his example. Yes, he can still teach us even after he is gone! God graciously answered our prayer of “thy will be done” and took Leonard to his eternal home. Maybe it is a farm, instead of a mansion!
He is now in heaven with his parents, Ivy and Martha Shinn; and his brother, James D. Shinn.
He is survived by his loving wife Carolyn Appel Shinn; and children, Teresa Neal (Don), Linnea Costas (Tom), Dianna Cooper (Dan) and Alan Shinn (Holly); grandchildren, Carolyn Hogberg (Daniel), Wayne Costas, Kayla Jolly (Jordan), Hannah Cotten (Jake), Kristina Welch (Brit), Gayle Cassidy (Ryan), Kyle Cooper (Laura), Grace Neal, and Savannah Shinn; greatgrandchildren, Josiah, Auggie, Calvin and Magdalena Jolly, Hope, Noah and Joy Hogberg, Roscoe, Blair and Heath Welch, Avery Cotten and Adelaide Cassidy; sister, Glenda Wilde; and dear family friend, Ian Thomas.
Visitation is Sunday, April 3, from 3 to 5 p.m.
Burial is Monday, April 4, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Taylor City Cemetery, 1101 E. 4th Street in Taylor.
A memorial Service will be held Monday, April 4, at 2:30 p.m. at Cedar Valley Baptist Church, 1905 FM 969 in Elgin.
