Shawn Wayne Evalt

Shawn was born July 22, 1979 in Sunnyside, Washington.

He attended Ridgetop Jr High and graduated from Olympic High School with a high school diploma. Also involved in Special Olympics Swimming, he went to State multiple times and took home several gold medals.

Beautiful red curls, a crooked smile and a memory that was infallible, this was our Shawn. Declaring with childlike innocence and naiveté that if you were going to tell him there was no Easter Bunny, you would probably try to convince him there was no Santa Claus too. His faith and belief were strong and unquestioning. There is a heaven, he knew; because that’s where Jesus is taking care of his birth mother June, his nephew Joshua, and his niece Miriam. He had no doubt that they were waiting for him. We will always remember the big grin on his face as our little Elijah climbed into his lap and his first word ever was Shawn. Shawn was not the huggable type by then, but Elijah wiggled his way into Shawn’s heart anyway.

His love of music was well known. He couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket, but neighbors were cheered by his voice as he hiked up and down the road with headphones on, CD playing, singing along to “ I Never Promised You a Rose Garden “ or “ Crazy”. He had his favorites,- his sister Donna’s gospel tape was a very special one. He loved his country gospel, LeeAnn Rhimes and Patsy Cline to name just a few.

There is one thing Shawn taught all of us, “To always make the most of every moment, to love and not complain, just accept that God loves me and he will take care of me.”

He will be remembered for many things. His favorite game Skip-bo, which he won every time, and would stop playing when he did lose. His Dr. Pepper, which he drank every day. He had to have everything in its place, or else. Not that any of us would ever mix things up just to get him wound up and get the “Sis”. His curiosity about everything in the world met no bounds.

He loved to sing at the top of his lungs to Whitney Houston. And we will never forget his tongue, which always stuck out and which he bit every time he clapped his hands and laughed! And his memory for everything. You see, no one got away with anything when Shawn was watching, as he would not forget. No black mail here, he just told on you…

Shawn is survived by his parents Ralph and Laura Evalt; five brothers – Ralph Evalt II, Jeffrey Evalt, William Evalt, Justin Evalt and Jeremy Evalt, and their spouses; six sisters – Betty Fleck, Julie Ann Cooper, Karole Lee Johnson, Donna Martens, Kate Surrency, Barbara Lund, and their spouses; Grandmother Lynn Ford of Vancouver, Washington; and dozens of nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles and cousins.

Shawn is preceded in death by his birth mother June Francom , his nephew Joshua McGillivray-Fleck, and his niece Miriam Adams.

There will be a celebration of life, potluck, and barbecue at Shawns parents’ house at 4588 Kid Haven Lane, Bremerton, 98312 on October 4th from noon till dark because Shawn’s favorite holiday was the Fourth of July. As Shawn was not a prim and proper sort of fella, this is what he would want. Just family and friends getting together and remembering him in the valley he loved so much.

Friends and Family are welcome to celebrate and remember the special moments of Shawn’s life with us. He will never be forgotten and will always be in our hearts.

“God saw you getting weary. He did what he thought best. He put his arms around you and said, come and rest.

He opened up his golden gates on that heart breaking day, and with his arms around you, you gently slipped away.

It broke our hearts to lose you. You did not go alone. A part of us went with you, the day God called you home.

A special thank you to all the staff at Harrison Hospital, Dr Ferman and Jennifer, Will and Lynn at Farrell’s and Kitsap Hospice for taking care of Shawn while showing him respect and love in his time of need in his last moments. We will always appreciate what you have done for our family. And thank you for everything you do.

Arrangements under the direction of Miller-Woodlawn Funeral Home, Bremerton, WA.