Shawn McKee
Shawn McKee, 62, of Paradise, Texas, passed away on November 18, 2025. His Celebration of Life at Wright Reunion will be held on Saturday, December 6, beginning at 11 a.m., with Mike Kaczor officiating.
Shawn Joseph was born on May 11, 1963, in Spangler, Pennsylvania, but as he liked to say, he got to Texas just as fast as he could. Breckenridge became home, then later Paradise, and he carried that Texas pride everywhere he went. Even his Home Depot bucket had to have a Texas symbol on it. That’s how proud he was.
Shawn left us suddenly on November 18 at the age of 62. And even though he didn’t love school much — barely graduating Breckenridge High in ’82 — what he did love was working. Making money. Getting things done. That’s where he shined.
He met the love of his life, Donna, in the most Shawn way possible under a race car, helping him change a tie rod. That moment was the beginning of forty-plus years of stories, adventures, love, and a whole lot of laughter. They married in 1983, and the wild ride of a their life together began.
Shawn started out as a ranch hand, hauling hay and working cows. That’s where he learned his colorful, sarcastic language from his Uncle Ray — language many of us here are familiar with. He went on to construction, building roads and site pads, then to the oilfield, where he refined his welding skills working alongside his dad and other great welders and roustabouts. He even owned his own roustabout company for a while.
Later, in the union, his personality became even more colorful. He worked in car plants, hydro plants, wind turbines, and finally conveyor systems. He wasn’t just good at what he did — he was a teacher, a mentor, a union rep, and a welding instructor. Shawn could fix anything. Sometimes all he needed was a tree, a chain, a pipe wrench, some bailing wire, and a cutting torch — but he would get it done.
Shawn was a gearhead from the start. He rode his motorcycle to school at 14. Built cars under a shade tree. Raced circle track. And only Shawn would weld half a ’68 Chevelle and half a ’69 Chevelle together to make a whole car — a real-life Johnny Cash story.
The man loved anything that went fast. And yes — he did cry a little when he sold his race car to put a down payment on a house. But he never stopped building, never stopped chasing a project. Then came his pride and joy: his Indian Vintage motorcycle. When he got it, he kicked Donna off the back — she got her own — and that’s when the real adventures began. He loved planning the routes. And whenever they were lost, he’d say, “Not lost. Just never been here before.”
Now, Shawn may have looked a little gruff — big chest, bald head, that beard — but he had the biggest heart. He would give you the shirt off his back. He helped anyone who needed it. He was generous and kind… until you messed up. Then you were a “water head.”
Shawn had a way with people who didn’t have many friends. He collected characters everywhere he went. The family even has a picture with a guy they still don’t know — probably someone he picked up at a gas station, gave a ride to, and took to show his bike. That was Shawn. He could bullshit with the best of them, and if he gave you hell — that meant he liked you.
Music was another passion. At festivals, he wore his straw top hat and soaked up the attention. He knew all the words to ZZ Top, Rob Zombie, Whiskey Myers, Red Clay Strays… and even The Hu, that Mongolian band Donna showed him as a joke. He listened for a week until he knew every word.
Shawn never said no to an adventure. He was never embarrassed by the situations he ended up in — even the time he wore a tutu at the Renaissance fair. Family vacations were some of his happiest moments, and he treasured the games, the laughter, and the memories.
But above all, Papa Shawn loved his family. His grandkids — Bryndle, River, Kallen, Teagan, Odin, and Jeslynn — were the light of his life. He talked about them for days after every visit. And yes — if Nonna said no, Papa said yes… just don’t tell Nonna.
His greatest accomplishment, His children — Candra and Jordan, Cara and Clay, Rory and Leah, and honorary son Joshua, Skylor and kids — will deeply feel the loss of being unable to make that call: “Hey Dad, how do you do this?” His mom, Carol McKee, will miss her baby boy. She called him that all his life, and he never stopped being that to her. She raised a good man.
And Donna, his best friend, his baby doll as he called her, of 42 years…She is left with a lifetime of Shawn McKee adventures, laughs, love, and memories. Shawn would say, “Through it all, we built a pretty good life.” And he was right.
There are so many others — family, friends, coworkers — who will miss his giant presence, his mentoring, and yes, his famous ass chewings.
So here’s to Shawn, and to his dad, Carol McKee — together again, welding, talking cows, or squirrel hunting.
His presence will be missed. His love will be cherished. And his stories — well, those will be told for a long time to come.
Memorials in Shawn’s honor can be made to Scottish Rite Hospital, and Breckenridge Meals on Wheels, and left at Melton-Kitchens Funeral Home. Condolences can be left at meltonkitchens.com.
