Edison Norris McShan, second of seven children, was born on April 17, 1937 to Calvin McShan and Ernestine McShan of Fairfield, Texas, at that time a segregated community (colored or negro and whites).
He accepted Christ and was baptized at Fairfield Southern Baptist Church at the early age of 7.
Edison attended and graduated in 1954 from Dogan High School in Fairfield which was an all black school.
He was a star basketball player in Texas and played center at Dogan High, thus was offered numerous basketball scholarships from colored (negro) colleges and universities. They were Texas College, Prairie View A&M, Bishop, Tillerson, and Whiley.
However, after graduating high school in 1954, Edison followed his best buddy and classmate, Make Alvin Hunter in joining the U.S. Navy. Upon completion of the Naval Basic Training in San Diego, California, Mack Hunter chose the Navy Sea Bees (naval construction), whereas Edison, looking for adventure, picked ship duty and subsequently assigned to the Navy’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Shangri-la, a world traveling sea aircraft carrier.
He made three world tours on the USS Shangri-la during his 4-year duty as Chief Petty Officer, Master Electrician; and was honorably discharged in 1958 and took up residency in California afterwards.
Edison dedicated more than 25 years as an electrical and structural engineer for the Douglas & Boeing Aircraft Corporation in Long Beach.
He later married Mary McShan and relocated to Victorville, California. They foster-parented many children until Mary’s passing in 2010.
Edison married Ms. Felicia Mushatt on October 25, 2014. Both had been long time members of the Emmanuel Temple Calvary Methodist Church.
Edison passed away on March 25, 2018. Services were held at his home church.
