SHAWN STRAUGHAN

Shawn Ronald Straughan, age 35, of Texarkana, TX, changed a fleeting world for an immortal rest on March 12, 2023. He was born on April 3, 1987, in Houston, TX, to Ronald and Vickie Straughan. Shawn was an incredibly hard worker, having worked in the oilfield industry for the past eleven years. He spent his free time at home, enjoying his family. He was an avid bass fisherman, always after that “Big One,” and always on the lookout for new lakes to fish in. Shawn was a decorated war hero who proudly served his country in the Infantry of the United States Army from January 2006 to November 2008, during which time he was awarded many distinguished honors, including a Bronze Star with Valor, the fourth highest military decoration for valor. Among his other military honors were the National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device, and a Certificate of Achievement for Outstanding Performance Operation Iraqi Freedom V. His family and friends describe Shawn as overly-generous, willing to help anyone in need, a man of his word, and highly intelligent. He also knew how to have a good time, had an amazing sense of humor, and his wife and mothers will confirm he was incredibly stubborn! He instilled in his children a great work ethic. It was important to Shawn that his children learn that they must make sacrifices to get the things they want and need in life. He taught his girls to drive a boat, build a fence, and how to follow instructions to assemble things. And of course, he taught his children to fish. Shawn is preceded in death by his father, Ronald Straughan; his brother, Gabriel Smith; and numerous brothers who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving alongside Shawn in Iraq. Shawn is survived by his wife of 10 years, Amanda Straughan, of Texarkana, TX; three beautiful children, Kylee Straughan, Kinslee Straughan, and Kaiden Straughan, of Texarkana, TX; his mother, Vickie Straughan, and her wife, Jill Caten, of Willis, TX; brother, Christopher Torres of Avinger, TX; brother, Trevor Caten, of Willis, TX; brother-in-law, Adam Akers, of Texarkana, TX; two sisters-in-law, Danielle and Caitlynn Roraff, of Texarkana, TX; mother-in-law, Lisa Wilson and her husband, Michael Wilson, of Texarkana, TX; father-in-law, William Akers and his wife, Angela Akers; and a host of other relatives. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at Chapelwood Funeral Home in Nash, TX. Interment will be at Chapelwood Memorial Gardens in Nash, TX., under the direction of Chapelwood Funeral Home, Nash, TX. Visitation will be from 6-8 PM on Monday, March 20, 2023 at the funeral home. Shawn’s wife, Amanda, and mother, Vickie, have requested that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Camp Hope in Houston, TX, an organization that supports combat veterans battling PTSD. The link to donate is: https://ptsdusa.org/give-help/. Scroll down the page to a green button that says “Make a Tribute,” to make a one-time donation in Shawn’s honor.