Dr. Samuel P. Shanks, Ph.D Dr. Samuel P. Shanks, Ph.D., 66 of Columbus, MS passed away, Saturday, April 6, 2013 at Baptist Memorial Hospital – Golden Triangle, Columbus, MS. A graveside service for Dr. Shanks will be Tuesday, April 9, 2013 in Beersheba Cemetery, Columbus, MS with Rev. Sandra Brown officiating and Lowndes Funeral Home directing. Dr. Shanks was born March 31, 1947 in Artesia, MS to the late Dewey & Earline Smith Shanks. Dr. Shanks was a 1965 graduate of Lee High School and received his B.S. Master's and Ph.D from Mississippi State University in Aerospace Engineering from 1965 through 1977. He worked for General Dynamics, Flow Simulations, The Rocketdyne Division of Rockwell International, where he received the Presidents' Award by for his contribution to the analysis and redesign of the space shuttle main engine. He was President of JAI Associates from 1989 – 1993. Most recently he taught in the Engineering Department at Mississippi State University until he retired in 2009. He was a member of AARP and enjoyed reading, writing, working calculations and drinking coffee with the Hwy 45 McDonald's Coffee Drinkers debating current issues. In addition to his parents, Dr. Shanks was preceded in death by his sister – Bertha Brasher and brothers – Alton Shanks and Hugh Shanks. Dr. Shanks is survived by his brother – Boyd Shanks, Artesia, MS and sister – Mary Ann Minor, Columbus, MS and a host of nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Freddie Minor, Brandon Langford, Bubba Shanks, Ken Underwood, Chris Echols and Joe Langford. Honorary Pallbearers will be Lester Pickett, Hwy 45 McDonalds Coffee Club, The staff of Cardiology Associates. Memorials may be made to American Heart Association, P.O. Box 16808, Jackson, MS 39236.