Shawn Terrance DeWees, 52, passed away peacefully at home on May 30, 2026, with his wife, Amy, and son, Uriah, by his side.

Shawn was born on October 25, 1973, in Parsons, Kansas. At birth, he carried the surname, Rice. His biological father was unknown, and his early years were marked by challenges that would shape much of his life. In 1982, he was adopted by his aunt, Kathleen DeWees, whose care and support gave him the stability and family he needed. Following the adoption, his surname was changed to DeWees, the name he proudly carried for the rest of his life.

Life was not easy for Shawn. He endured significant health challenges, including severe stress-induced epilepsy, a bicuspid heart valve, and kidney disease. Despite suffering from these conditions for decades, he did not receive treatment until he was 49 years old. Through every setback, Shawn displayed remarkable resilience, determination, and grit.

Though he faced more than his share of hardship, Shawn's life was ultimately defined by love. He found his greatest happiness in his family and in the home he built with his wife and children.

In 1992, Shawn welcomed his first son, Malcolm Luther. Tragically, Malcolm and his mother, Carrie, were killed in a car accident when Malcolm was only two years old. The loss left a permanent mark on Shawn's heart, and he carried the memory of his son with him throughout his life.

In 2007, Shawn welcomed his daughter, Brooklyn DeWees, with Shana Mitchell. Brooklyn survives him. In August 2012, Shawn and his beloved wife, Amy, were married. In December 2012, welcomed their son, Uriah DeWees. Shawn was deeply proud of Uriah and treasured being his father. The bond they shared brought Shawn immeasurable joy and purpose.

On August 28, 2020, Shawn and Amy experienced the heartbreaking loss of their son, Atticus DeWees, who was born and passed away on the same day. Though Atticus's time on earth was brief, he remained forever loved and forever a part of their family.

Those who knew Shawn understood that beneath his tough exterior was a fiercely loyal and compassionate man. He was a defender by nature, always willing to stand up for those who could not stand up for themselves. He had a particular passion for protecting women, children, and animals, and he had little tolerance for cruelty, abuse, or injustice. Shawn believed deeply that the measure of a person was how they treated the vulnerable, and he lived according to that belief.

Shawn's journey was marked by loss, illness, and adversity, but it was also marked by perseverance, courage, and an unwavering capacity to love. The peace and happiness he found with Amy and Uriah became the greatest chapter of his life. Through them, he found the family, acceptance, and love he had long deserved.

He is survived by his wife, Amy DeWees; his daughter, Brooklyn DeWees; his son, Uriah DeWees; his brother, Charlie DeWees; his half-sister, Misty Hack; and many friends and extended family members whose lives were touched by his strength, humor, and loyalty.

He was preceded in death by his adoptive mother, Kathleen DeWees, who passed away on June 30, 2014; his son, Malcolm Luther; Malcolm's mother, Carrie; and his infant son, Atticus DeWees.

After a lifetime of fighting battles both seen and unseen, Shawn is finally at rest. His family finds comfort in knowing that his suffering has ended and that the love he gave so fiercely remains behind in the people whose lives he changed.

He will be remembered not for the hardships he endured, but for the strength with which he endured them, the people he protected, and the love he gave to those who were fortunate enough to know him.

"When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure." -Ozzy Osbourne