Our Dad and Papa, Michael Phillip McShan, was born on June 13,1954 in Brownwood, Texas to Rayford and Alta (Boyd) McShan.
Preceded in death by his father, Rayford, in 1959, our Dad was forever impacted by this early loss. Raised by a single mother, along with his sister Denise, he took on adult responsibilities at a very young age and spent his entire life as a caregiver and advocate for those in hard circumstances, especially children.
Dad believed this service to children was a living ministry to the Body of Christ and was faithful to his calling until the very end of his earthly journey. Dad graduated from Brownwood High School in 1972. He sang tenor in the famous Dorothy McIntosh performance choir, was a cheerleader, as well as the resident long-haired hippy.
A short study at the University of Texas made him a Longhorn forever, but he returned to Brownwood to work, take care of his family and begin his degree.
Everything changed when he met and married our Mom, Lanet Henson, on November 27,1974. A 48 year love story would set the foundation for the rest of his life. Soon after, they welcomed a daughter, Amy Lanet on May 5,1975. Through hard work and Lanet’s support (and her typing skills) Dad was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science in December 1979. Then, on October 30,1980 a second daughter arrived, Micha Leigh (but always Sugie to Dad).
Our family was Dad’s first priority. Dad spent much of his young adulthood working in retail services at the JCPenney Co., but got closer to his true calling when he began working for the State of Texas in 1988. After a short time assisting needy families at the Department of Human Services, Dad began his career in Child Protection and spent 13 years investigating child abuse and neglect, rehabilitating families and placing children in adoptive homes. His heart was called to do more, and in 2013 he completed a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology and earned the title of Licensed Professional Counselor.
Dad spent 10 years counseling individuals and groups, but preparing adoption studies and presenting families for adoption to the courts brought him the most joy! Dad was a lifelong Episcopalian. The church was a safe haven throughout his childhood and a second home as he raised a family. Dad served as the Acolyte Master, a Lay Eucharistic Minister, a Sunday School teacher and a member of the Vestry at St. John’s Episcopal Church. After much inner conflict, he found a new church home at Church of the Heavenly Rest in Abilene. Dad found a renewed presence of the Holy Spirit in a church that matched his understanding of Christ’s love. Dad’s second great love was theDallas Cowboys.
Sports in general were a passion, but his dedication to the Cowboys was a constant. The losses were hard, but the joy of a win brought next-level happiness. Dad’s stories of the Cowboy’s glory days provided hours of entertainment relished by his family.
Dad and Mom’s family grew in love over the years. Amy and her husband Anthony have three children: Bailey Alexander, Michael Anthony and Grace Ellen. Micha and her husband Nick have one son, Hagen Ford. These grandchildren were Dad’s pride and joy. The title of Dad and Papa were his favorite and his art of story telling will forever be a constant thread woven through those he loved most.
Dad was preceded in death by his father and mother(2004). Dad’s last act of service was as an organ/tissue donor. Even when failed by his own body, Dad shared his gifts to the very end.
In lieu of flowers, our family asks that a donation be made in Dad’s name to any organization serving children and families. A service honoring Dad’s memory will be scheduled at a later time.
