Shawn Jay Ewing

Shawn Jay Ewing born July 16 th , 1973 left this world January 16 th , 2026 the same way he lived his life-by bringing joy and life to others.
Shawn is preceded in death by his Grandparents Stan McGuire (Karen) and Darlene Butcher (Vernon), his namesake Grandpa Jay Ewing (Vivian), Grandma Arendtsen, Uncle Mark Arendtsen and his beloved pitbull, Tiger. He is survived by his mom Cheri Brown, his dad Ronald Jay Ewing (Kim), stepdad Larry Brown (Lynette), two brothers Todd and Tom Ewing, five sisters Leisha Craine (Troy), Danielle Fischer (Ryan), Stacey Fischer (Cory), Bambi Brown (Larry) and Krystal Brown, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and his loyal best friend who ran for help to try and save Shawn when he collapsed, his sweet heeler/Pitbull mix, Sasha.
Shawn was born at St Benedict's Hospital in Ogden, Utah and spent his time going back and forth with his dad Ron and stepmom Kim in Ogden, Utah and his mom Cheri and stepdad Larry in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Shawn attended school in Utah at Burch Creek Elementary, South Jr High, Bonneville High and then graduated from Lake Havasu High School in Arizona in 1992 in front of all his doting family from both states.
His entire life, Shawn was happiest anywhere he could be outside exploring GOD's land. Nature called to his soul, the way a heart beats to survive. Shawn loved all things nature, animals, and fishing. As a child, he brought home every reptile, arachnid, rodent, and walk of life that looked like it needed a friend or a band-aid. He once brought a fish home from his Grandma Butcher's and kept it swimming in a wagon for three days. He had a big green iguana named Mascot that he absolutely treasured. Nothing broke Shawn more than losing an animal. He loved playing chase, camping, rock hunting and all things adrenaline and adventure. As a teenager, Shawn spent weeks on end hand-dredging a full BMX track out back of his mom's house to teach his
little sisters to jump bikes and build confidence. The track remained in use and was cherished until they all grew up and moved away. He would have neighbor kids over to his dad's house for days to play video games, Zelda and Doom. He would spend hours upon hours on the trampoline. By the time he was in his 20s, Shawn had tied thousands of flies…a skill he had learned from his Grandpa McGuire. Shawn loved teaching his little sisters to tie perfect little flies with glints of glitter and feathers-then showcasing each as the little gem it was! He was great with electronics and was always tinkering. He loved tearing things apart just to see how they worked then rebuilding to his style. Hilariously, he nearly gave his dad a heart attack-coming home after a single day at work, to find that Shawn had completely dismantled, repainted and rebuilt his dad's vintage full-chrome Honda scooter. The scooter had been meant to stay in its original condition, but Shawn could not contain himself the moment he spotted it in the garage and was over the moon to fiddle with it and paint it green! He loved everything from tricycles to skateboards to mountain bikes-a love that he and his brother Todd shared to their core.
As he entered adulthood, his love of the outdoors only intensified. He loved taking his mom to his favorite fishing spots along the Ogden and Weber Rivers and up by Waterfall Canyon and behind Rainbow Gardens. He let her in on his bait secret-fish eggs and Velveeta cheese! Shawn always made sure his mom knew just how much he loved her. He regularly flooded her messages with "I love you, Mom" any time, day or night. Shawn loved stopping in at his dad's and taking him hiking up Waterfall Canyon and along Bonneville Shoreline Trail. He absolutely cherished time with his parents and immersing them in his world. His sense of exploration was truly unmatched.
His stepparents played important roles in Shawn's life also. Their stepdad, Larry taught Shawn and Todd to lay all types of flooring (carpet, wood, tile) when they were just teens, a skill they continued to hone and apply into adulthood. They loved boating, fishing, shooting and off-roading together. Their stepmom, Kim made memories cooking, fishing and frequenting Eagles Campground with Shawn and his siblings, spending many Springs, Summers and Falls up the canyon enjoying the great outdoors. Shawn looked forward to their time spent up there and all the memories made through the years.
Shawn and his brothers remained close their whole lives, often working together in flooring and construction hanging out with each other any chance they got. They loved going to Ogden Hot Pots, Shawn having been just days before he went home to our LORD. Shawn and his big brother Todd were especially close, nearly inseparable almost their entire lives. They spent countless hours talking about the search and "hunt" for gold. Their fascination was an insatiable thirst, one that no story or discovery could ever fully quench! Shawn loved Todd dearly and referenced him as "Uncle Todd" to all his animals. Todd specifically remembers Shawn yelling to Mascot, his pet iguana, to "Come say hi to your Uncle Todd" any time he visited, and Mascot would come waddling down the hallway to greet his Uncle. They would cruise downtown Odgen with Mascot riding on Shawn's head and back just enjoying the ride! Shawn and his little brother, Tom, talked about Bigfoot…always lending an ear and keeping an eye out in Tom's backyard--certain they heard him one night! All three boys used to flatten out cardboard boxes to make a dance floor in their bedroom and would do all sorts of crazy breakdancing, head-spinning, and windmills. Breakdancing was something he would entertain his little sisters with too and they admired his hours of skills! Shawn's sister Leisha remembers how protective he was of her and how he always had such a positive attitude and loved clowning around. The girls and Todd and Tom remember Shawn as the big, goofy, always-smiling, witty brother that was always looking to get one over on his siblings. He would always say "Sike!" or "Two for looking" and then belly laugh like it was the funniest thing in the world. He adored all his siblings and was truly such a great, protective, endlessly loving brother to all of them. Photos show the adoration they had for Shawn growing up-all five little sisters and both brothers looked up to him and truly admired his charisma and just loved being around him. They spent a lot of time together and each have special, unique bonds with him.
The color blue, Chef Boyardee Ravioli and SpaghettiOs right out of the can, soda and ice cream with Dad, pizza and fishing with mom, hikes up behind 24 th street, the allure of caves and the unexplored, and the never-ending quest for the gold nugget that would "make his mark", Shawn was truly eccentric and passionate for life's simplest gifts.
He never came to visit without bringing a little memento of his love, the most anticipated and treasured being his pencil and ink drawings. He was a wonderfully talented artist who drew everything from roses to dragons, animals, semis, racecars and JESUS. Shawn's mind was so artistic-his imagination flared at the tiniest spark. He turned the smallest of details into big, exciting stories and adventures that made ordinary things feel extraordinary-breathing life into forgotten corners of the world. He remains in awe of the world around him.
Shawn loved his physical attributes that shared a likeness to JESUS. His long, full brown hair and beautiful light eyes. He ended every message and conversation with "GOD BLESS" and "AMEN" -somewhat of his personal trademark that family adored hearing. At his best, his genuine laugh and wit was infectious and at his worst, his selflessness, humor and humility carried him through. He quite literally gave the shirt off his back more than once. He loved deeply and never ever missed a chance to tell his family he loved them, especially his mom.
Family is certain Shawn's beautiful smile opened the skies wide and lit up the heavens when he saw JESUS. Forever a son, brother, friend, jokester and explorer...Shawn's smile was his very favorite thing about himself (as written in elementary school :) and boy was it a great one that will be missed deeply by all who cherish him!
We love you, Shawn. Thank you for being YOU. You mean the whole world to us. "Goodbye for now." Muah!
Love, Dad, Mom, Kim, Larry, Lynette, Todd, Leisha, Tom, Danielle, Bambi, Krystal, Stacey and everyone who loves and misses you more than words.
Family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to McKay-Dee Hospital ICU team, especially Dr. Jesse Mecham, RN Bailee, and Kelsey Atkinson with Donor Connect for their sweet delivery of communication between the hospital and Shawn's large family.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that you lend a hand to those who are unhoused and/or experiencing hardship. Shawn's giving heart would love that. GOD BLESS. AMEN.