Shannon Oneta Sompayrac

Shannon Sompayrac, age 80, passed away at the Collier Hospice Center in Wheat Ridge, CO on January 30, 2024 after a long battle with cancer.  She was born November 20, 1943 in Salida, CO to the late Art and Marge Henke.   She graduated from high school in Salida and moved around Colorado with her family while she continued her education in business college. 

After school, Shannon worked at various businesses as an executive secretary including GEICO and Martin Marietta.  In the late 1960s she met Bill Sompayrac while he was working with her mother at JC Penny’s in the Denver area.  She married Bill on July 13, 1968 and in the coming years they had their only child Brian while living in Denver, CO.  Shannon and Bill then moved to Evergreen, CO before they took to their entrepreneurial spirit and jumped headfirst into the furniture business by purchasing a furniture store in Longmont, CO which led to them eventually owning six furniture stores across Colorado.  They took the opportunity to move to Las Vegas, NV while their son was attending UNLV.   Shannon thrived in Las Vegas’ sunshine and bright lights and the opportunity to follow her passion for selling high end clothing and jewelry.   

She had the pleasure of working at numerous retailers including Neiman Marcus and Escada.   It was at Escada where she met some of her closest friends and built countless fond memories.  Eventually Shannon and Bill slowly made their way back to Colorado – spending a year in St George, UT.  Finally, moving to Fruita, CO to be closer to Shannon’s parents.  While living in Fruita, Shannon spent several years – day in and day out - taking care of her aging parents.  She always put the care and concern of family ahead of herself.  She and Bill were passionate pet lovers and adopted numerous four-legged friends throughout their lives including rescuing an abandoned kitty in Fruita, CO who became yet another loved family member.  Shannon embraced the automotive passion along with her husband and son and spent countless hours at car shows, auctions, and auto racing events.  She always made it a point to attend the amateur racing events that Brian participated in during high school and throughout the years in Las Vegas.   Shannon spent numerous hours helping Brian with the behind scenes work in founding and running Nevada Z Car Club in Las Vegas.   She was a mother and wife that was always willing and ready to do whatever needed to be done.  Shannon, Bill, and Brian loved spending time as a family no matter what the activity or where they were at.

Shannon was preceded in death by her parents Art and Marge Henke and her husband Bill of 55 years.  She is survived by her son Brian (Sherry) Sompayrac, brothers Ralph and Don Henke, and her cherished dog and cat - Shep and Miss Boots.

Shannon will be sorely missed as a loving mother, sibling and friend.            

Shannon will be interned with her husband Bill at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado.

Please consider making a memorial contribution in Shannon Sompayrac’s name to Grand Rivers Humane Society (www.grandrivershumane.org) or CLAWS Cat Rescue (www.clawsgj.org) or Collier Hospice Center (https://intermountainhealthcare.org/foundation/lutheran-foundation/donate)