Shawn Elton Patterson

Shawn Elton Patterson, age 49 of Gatesville, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, December 23, 2024, surrounded by all of his children, wife, and Mom. Please join us in celebrating and remembering his life at 3:00 P.M. on Monday, December 30th, 2024, at Scott’s Funeral Home. The family will receive visitors one hour prior to the service.

Shawn was born in Jacksonville, Arkansas and grew up in the surrounding area until joining the Army. As a child, Shawn was quiet and introverted. He spent a lot of time hunting and raising pigs for 4-H, where he won Grand Champion and bred and sold others who also won. Those who knew him later in life most likely will remember him for his sense of humor, corny dad jokes, love for his family, and faith in God. His sense of humor helped him through many aspects of his life, but especially during his battle with cancer. He gave the chemo nurses a run for their money at times, once taping a plastic spider over his port to surprise them during a treatment.

Shawn spent most of his life in the military, having joined the Army National Guard at age 17 to see the world. He served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and had many stories of all his adventures, all sprinkled with the sense of humor we all loved. Many of his favorite military memories were from when he was attached to a Special Forces team while in Afghanistan. He spoke of his team with great respect, though often reflected internally on that time. He was a dedicated Soldier, having been awarded two Bronze Stars and receiving an award for his unit at the Pentagon, of which he was very proud.

Shawn always said he was a jack of all trades, but master of none. His wife thought he was like MacGyver—always coming up with solutions to various problems in innovative ways. Shawn always had a project or two that he was working on and they usually involved something for his wife or kids. Each child had a very unique and special relationship with their dad. His last project was left unfinished. He was working on restoring a 1970 C10 with Joshua. Shawn completed the bodywork himself while stationed at Ft. Sill, his final duty station. Cancer deterred him but he never let it beat his attitude. He often said that he knew God could heal him, either here on earth or in Heaven; but one way or another he would be healed. God chose Heaven. 

After the military, Shawn worked at the Texas Department of Corrections, moving through several jobs where he met so many people who have reached out and spoken of his humor and positivity. He was a mentor to some and example to many of his faith in a saving knowledge of God.

Shawn was preceded in death by his father Charles; sisters, Cindy and Renee; and brother Matthew.

Shawn is survived by his wife, Lisa; their children, Caegan and wife, Katie, Joshua, Karalyna and Ethan; his mom Patricia, of Beebe, Arkansas; grandchildren, Blakley, Oakleigh, and Chase; as well as several nieces, nephews, and great-nephews. 

Shawn was well loved by his family, church, and friends and touched the lives of many of his coworkers. He will be greatly missed by those still here, but we know he was welcomed into loving arms in Heaven. 

In lieu of flowers, Shawn wanted any donations to go to Calvary Baptist Church for their children’s ministry.

We also wanted to mention that we will not be playing the song, “Oh Lord, It’s Hard to Be Humble” during his service, as his wife vetoed that selection during his funeral pre-planning session. Those who knew him will understand