James Hal Shannon Sr.
May 24, 1949 – August 2, 2026
Cremation has taken place and there will be a celebration of life on Friday August 14th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Joldersma and Klein Funeral Home, 917 South Burdick St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made at the funeral home to Elara Hospice. Special heartfelt thanks to Anne, Mary and Janice.
Obituary
Hal passes away on Sunday, August 2 at home surrounded by his wife and family. He fought a courageous battle and is now at peace.
Hal was born on May 24,1949 in Moulton Alabama. He was the son of Albert Shannon and Gladys (Gillespie) Shannon. At the age of 5, the family moved to Kalamazoo where he resided most of his life. He was united in marriage to Gretchen Gray September 15, 1970.
Hal was a man of many talents. He opened the first tanning salon in Saginaw in 1982. He, along with Gretchen and his partners opened health clubs known as Dynamic Health club, Powerhouse Gyms and Fitzone for Women throughout Michigan reaching as far a Florida, Wisconsin, Colorado and Indiana. When he retired, he started a painting company with his sons which continues today. In his spare time, he loved to show cars on the show car circuit winning with his 1957 Chevy convertible at Cobo Hall in Detroit. At the age of 43 he competed and won Mr. Michigan. He has met so many amazing people and lifelong friends and they all hold a special place in his heart.
He is survived by his wife Gretchen of 56 years; sons, James Hal Shannon Jr, Dallas Gene (Kimberly) Shannon; grandchildren, Declan Shannon, Austin Shannon, Kaylissa Phillips and Kelsey Phillips.
Hal was truly larger than life. He had a big personality and even bigger heart. I’m so thankful to him for the many opportunities he provided me throughout the years. I have many fond memories of the Powerhouse years. Hal will be missed.
He was my training partner for years when I was actually strong.
If you were a friend, there was not a better one.
This picture would be in the dictionary under “larger than life”
It was an honor to sweat and bleed with you 25 years ago.
And yes there was blood. He cut off the tip of a finger doing renovations (“not the f’ing finger, the one next to it) and didn’t miss a workout. It would bleed through and he was colorful when it banged on something. That was in training when he won the Mr Michigan.
We will lift again someday, and be stupid and whole.
So sorry for your loss Gretchen and family ❤️🙏🏻
Just have to say thank you Hal
Whitmores love you
Hal Sr. was my Brother in Law. A very ambitious businessman he was artistic and meticulous in the design and layout of his businesses and his houses. He said his favorite color was white because it was clean and versatile. Hal was always working to further his vision and take care of his family. In addition he had a great sense of humor. My sincere condolences to his wife Gretchen, his sons, grandsons and family. He will be missed.
So very sorry about Hal. His mother and my Father were brothers and sisters.
God Bless the family and friends❤️
Hal was my oldest half-sister’s son, so he was my nephew. All of our Gillespie family loved Hal and his family so much. I saw him about two years ago when he came to Alabama to visit. We will all miss him so much. God Bless Gretchen, sons, and grandchildren. May God give you comfort.
My prayers and condolences to the Family. Hal loved you all very big!
Hal Shannon inspired me at the age of 3 years old,I am 42 years old and he had a gratitude. Back in 1993 Linda Shannon Hall passed away at the age of 47 year’s old and I was only 10 year’s old.My dad (Robert Donald Hall ) had a lot of help from Hal,Gretchen,Dallas and Hal Jr and they meant so much to me and I was very emotional and they would try to encourage me to be happy. I remembered when Hal Sn came visit my family on the occasion,He gave me M&M to my brother and I and he loved to joke with me.Growing up “My Dad,My younger brother,Ben and I would visit them for Christmas Eve every year and we had nice dinner and had conversations about bodybuilding and Hal was very genuine person and he dropped of this beautiful bench from powerhouse gym!I remembered after Special Olympics as a young child,My dad took me over there and Dallas and Hal Jr would throw me around,because I was super tired and emotional about my mom and Hal Sn would literally joke and he gave me Candy. Back in 2002-2003,He gave me a free gym membership and he gave me some supplements and clothing and he defended me a few time’s,When this member gave me such a hard time and he didnt like bad reputation and made him leave immediately,thats how much you loved me.I been training for 31 year’s and I will never give up bodybuilding training and I am so blessed that he gave me great recommendations and advice and I helped them do some labor work once and opportunity spending time with him made me so happy and he loved Linda Shannon,My Mom. and I am gonna do a competition and I hope to get first place and win for my uncle Hal,Because he brought me into bodybuilding. Hal loved visiting my dad quite often for good advice. Hal Sn always enjoyed company when my dad and I visited. I believe my dad did some construction work for him.
Hal was very humble,kind,sweet,genuine and he cared about my family.
I continue to move forward to always love my girls and thats what he mainly would prefer,anyways,bjt to focus less on bodybuilding training.I will always love my kids.,God comes first and then my kids and then my wife and then bodybuilding.
I am so sorry for your loss.
My heart goes out to you and your family.
I remember Hal and Gretchen fondly, first at Powerhouse then at Fitzone. Hal was always very friendly and helpful with workout tips. Later, I would occasionally run into them at the grocery store, where we chatted and reminisced about the gym days.
May God give peace to his beautiful bride, Gretchen, his sons and extended family.
Rest in peace
Thoughts and Prayers to Ya’ll!!
I have fond memories of Hal from are teenage years. Hal was like a big brother to me. He was always strong as a bull with a good personality. Hal helped me out of jams more than once and I knew I could count on our friendship and we could make each other laugh. In those days our group like to hang out at the pool hall Side Pocket in Kalamazoo when we weren’t cruising the gut looking for action. We enjoyed the night life and would often finish up at “CharSteak” an all night restaurant downtown where the steak dinner cost $1.49. We had good times.
In recent years I was impressed with the creative beautiful sculptures he was making.Hal had many talents and I will miss him. My sincere Condolences to Gretchen and there sons and grandchildren
Hal was an original, one of a kind, natural born leader and salesperson. Smart, witty and happy to bring anyone along for the ride if they were willing to work hard and had the same drive and passion he did. I loved my years employed @ Dynamic Health Club working for Hal and Gretchen. Hal gave me the space to shine and I excelled, did not disappoint, for which I was rewarded/awarded for! Many great memories of the dynamic good ol days, the glory days! I learned a lot and made life long friends that I am still in contact with today! Rest in Peace Hal Shannon 🙏🏻 President and corvette CEO, you certainly “PIF’d your lifetime membership” !! Sincere sympathies to Gretchen, your sons and grand children. Thank you for the wonderful memories – Jewels the Pearl 💪🏻🫶🏻😎