A service celebrating the life and legacy of George “G.G.” Stanley Shinn, age 78, will be held at 2:00 P.M., Monday, August 13, 2018 at Christ Church in West Monroe, LA. Officiating will be Pastor Tom Lowe. Bishop Mark Foster will deliver the Eulogy. Interment will follow in Hasley Cemetery in West Monroe. Services are under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of West Monroe. G.G. is survived by his beautifully blended family; his loving wife of 20 years, Sandra Cox Shinn; mother-in-law, Lida Cox; his sons, Christopher Shinn and his wife, Julie, Craig Shinn, Coy Shinn, Curt Shinn; his daughters, GiGi Shinn, Cindy Stone and her husband, Scott, Debbie Herrington, and her husband, Blake; his grandchildren, Tira Shinn, Curt Shinn, JR., Yevette Shinn, Coy Shinn, JR., Nicholas Shinn, Steven Shinn, Aidan Shinn; grandsons, Cody Stone, Cade Stone; granddaughters, Hanna Lavergne and husband, Jarrad, Haley Herrington; great grandchildren, Maddox, Skyler, Lillith and Luke; brother, David Shinn and his wife, Arline; special nieces and nephews, Betsy Padgett Villanueva and Norma Padgett and Richard “Knucklehead” Padgett, extended family; Stephanie and Tony Osborne and son, Connor Osborne. Six of the little joys in his life were his dogs, Zza Zza Gabor, Daisy, Maizy and cats Miss Kitty, B-Lou, and Mr. Trump. Preceding G.G. in death were his parents; Wildon and Betty Shinn; his father-in-law, T.W. Cox; and sister, Patsy Padgett and a brother, Jack Shinn.
G.G. Shinn was a gentleman’s gentleman. It is a true phenomenon when a truly great musician is also a great entertainer. This singer, horn player and dynamic stage persona never failed to have an audience begging for more. G.G. was known as the “King of Blue-eyed Soul”. In his hometown of Franklin, Louisiana, G.G. started his first band, “The Flat Tops”. In 1963, he joined “The Boogie Kings” and his professional career began. Their album, recorded in 1965, is still a highly sought-after collector’s item. In 1966, G.G. formed “The Rollercoasters” and recorded two R&B albums. A move to Los Angeles provided a new opportunity. It was there that the group “Chase” hired G.G. to record an album. Completed in only two weeks, the album was nominated for a Grammy award in 1972, and G.G.’s reputation as a great musician grew. After performing countless shows around the world, G.G. decided to open his 1st of four nightclubs in Lafayette, Louisiana in the 1970s, After Dark. Over the next four decades G.G. would open three more clubs, appropriately named, G.G.’s Club in Lake Charles, Louisiana in the 1990s, Monroe, Louisiana in 1998, and his final club in Alexandria, Louisiana in 2000. He personally managed the bands and performed at each on a regular basis. He would operate his last club with his devoted wife Sandra until its closure in 2011.
Those who flocked to see G.G. were not his fans but his family. From the moment he was introduced and stepped onto the stage, an echo of uproarious applause would ensue. G.G. needed no introduction. The crowd knew him. They had been listening to him for six decades. The impish grin of that young musician resonated with fans as he matured into the legendary sensation and Louisiana Music Hall of Famer everyone came to love on and off stage. His persona commanded the stage no matter what band was backing him. Beneath all the flash of his wardrobe, he was a man who had a passion for his state of Louisiana and the music he created symbolized that. His voice was infectious as he performed in a fairly obscure music genre indigenous to the Acadiana region of Southern Louisiana and Southwest Texas that was created by Cajun teens in the 1950s and early 1960s. He carried his stories through song to the masses in Africa, Japan, the United States, New Orleans Jazz Fest as well as the smaller crowds of the Dynasty in Monroe and other small venues throughout South Louisiana and Southeast Texas. His music made you want to dance. His music made you want to dig deep in your soul. If there was a microphone and a band, G.G. lived for the spotlight and ability to share his talents from God. G.G.’s undeniable talent crossed genres over the years. He had a gift of delivering breathtaking ballads that would bring a tear to your eye. His rendition of “Hallelujah” did just that. He also released many solo albums in his career including a Christmas album. He released his last album, “One Last Kiss” at the age of 75 on May 20, 2015. G.G. expanded his genre crossing as he began performing selections from “The Complete Jewish Songbooks” at the Temple B’Nai Israel in Monroe, Louisiana over the last decade of his life. G.G. was inducted in the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame and the Northeast Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.
In his spare time, G.G. was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a sports enthusiast who loved to attend his grandchildren’s games. G.G. was an active member of his Wednesday’s Men’s Bible Study at St. Alban’s Church. He transformed the lower level of his home on Moon Lake into a place to enjoy music and fellowship as he stood over the stove creating a feast celebrating his Cajun reared heritage. It was there with his wife, Sandra that he created a refuge to call home for 17 years.
Honoring G.G. as pallbearers will be Richard Padgett, Oran Guidry, Ray Mouton, Tommy Cox, Ricky Grimmet, Terry Cox and Gerry Mouton. Honorary pallbearers will be the Wednesday Men’s Bible Study Group at St. Alban’s Church.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M., Sunday, August 12, 2018, at Christ Church in West Monroe, LA.
A very special and heartfelt thanks for the love and concern for G.G. and his family to Compassus Hospice Care and nurses, Becky and Mary and his personal caregiver, Jennifer Aldridge.
G.G. had the gift of creating imaginative folklore at spinning a story especially when it came to the origin of his nickname, “G.G.’’. Its true origin lies amongst the many humorous tales he spun over the course of his life. G.G. was an extraordinary son, father, stepfather, husband, friend, Cajun chef, musician, and entertainer. Above all he was an extraordinary human being. He leaves behind a rich legacy that made this world a better place.
Memorials may be made in G.G.’s memory to Christ Church, 208 Lincoln Street, West Monroe, LA 71291.
Online condolence messages may be sent to his family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.
Kilpatrick Funeral Home
West Monroe, LA
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