Shawn E. Brown

Shawn E. Brown was an accomplished man in all the ways that matter most. In addition to his career, he was successful as a devoted family man and loyal friend. He loved being a dad, and by all accounts he was a great one. Outgoing and funny, Shawn attracted people who liked being around him and his boundless energy. Truly, Shawn lived fully and loved deeply.

With two boys in the Brown home, there was bound to be an atmosphere of energy, and Shawn’s own personality added to the liveliness. He was a very typical boy, and though he liked all sports, he began to gravitate toward football at the age of eight. Growing up in Climax, Michigan, he played tight end for Climax-Scotts High School and went on to play college ball at Olivet College in south central Michigan. After college Shawn was invited to try out for an NFL combine camp and also played several years of semi-pro football. He was a member of the Phi Alpha Pi fraternity and graduated with bachelor’s degree in Marketing. However, his career path took him into management when he joined Pitt-Ohio Express, a trucking company based in Pittsburg with a hub in Kalamazoo. As terminal manager, Shawn worked hard and expected nothing but the best.

Though he was driven to succeed, Shawn always had his priorities straight. Family came first, and he found no greater joy than being a husband and father. His marriage to Heather Bradley on July 21, 2001 was the beginning of wonderful family life that included two beautiful little girls. Brady and Karsen were his pride and joy. Playing with them was routine and getting involved in their activities was his commitment. Whether having fun around the house, or running around the back yard or coaching Brady’s soccer team, Shawn took time to be with his kids in a way that showed his enormous love for them. That affection carried over into his relationship with his nieces, who affectionately called him Uncle Buck, after John Candy’s character in the movie of the same name.

Shawn was high energy all the way. He was “pumped” to ride his bicycle, go camping, play sports, roughhouse with his dogs Kodi and Otis, and he was game to try almost anything at least once. Some called him an “adrenaline junky,” and the characterization also fit his humor. He schemed to pull pranks that had a shock factor, and though his jokes could be crude, they were all part of his charm. Unquestionably, Shawn was the life of any and every party.

Recently, Shawn set himself a challenge to run in the City of Portage’s annual Peacock Strut 5K. He started weight lifting and getting fit for the event that took place on Saturday, September 17th. That day, Shawn was proud to have completed the race, but then he collapsed immediately after crossing the finish line. He was rushed to the hospital, but the medical staff was unable to revive him. He died unexpectedly on Saturday, September 17, 2011 at Bronson Methodist Hospital, where he began his life 42 years earlier. Words cannot express how much he loved his family and how deeply they will miss their beloved husband, father, son, brother and uncle.

Shawn E. Brown, of Scotts, Michigan, is survived by his wife Heather, his daughters Brady and Karsen, his mother Diane Brown, his brother Gregory (Barbara) Brown and their children Kelsey, Charlotte and Claudia, his grandmothers Dorothy Roberts and Wilma Brown, his father-in-law and mother-in-law Frank and Beverly Bradley, his brother-in-law Jeff and Kristi Bradley and their children Josie and Angelina. Shawn was preceded in death by his father Larry and nephew Connor. Visit with his family and friends, view his life story film and share light refreshments on Wednesday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Life Story Funeral Home, Vicksburg; 409 S. Main St. (269-649-1697). A Funeral will be held on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at the same location. Please visit Shawn’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read his life story, archive a memory or photo, sign his memory book online before coming to the funeral home. Those who wish may make a memorial donation to the Brown Children's Education Fund care of any 5th/3rd Bank.