Obituary 7/6/23

Shawn M. Thomas
Shawn M. Thomas, 47, died on June 27, 2023 in Washington, D.C. He was born on November 4, 1975 in Jacksonville, FL, the son of Larry and Kathy Thomas of Orange Park, FL.
Shawn was a member of Orange Park High School, Class of 1994, and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from University of North Florida, Class of 2000. After various jobs in Florida, he moved to Washington D.C. and worked with the Department of Commerce as a Budget Analyst with the following teams: GM Office of Budget (2017-2023), International Trade Administration (Select USA; 2014-2017), U.S. Economic Development Administration (2008-2014).
In his school years, Shawn was active in drama, chorus and photography. During the pandemic, Shawn rediscovered his love for art and became an accomplished abstract artist. He was commissioned to design artwork for various buildings in D.C. and beyond, and shared his love of painting with family and friends.
He was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Joe and Odessa Chiappini; maternal grandmother, Pearl Osburn; cousin, Allen Shellenberger; uncles, Aaron, Charles and Harold Shellenberger.
Shawn is survived by his parents; brothers, Scott Thomas (Genelle) and Randy Thomas (Amanda); nephews, Austin Carder and Aiden Thomas; nieces, Lela Thomas and Campbell Thomas; uncles, Paul Shellenberger and James Thomas (Betty); aunts, Sandy Shumate (Pete), and Janet, Diane and Jan Shellenberger, and numerous cousins and friends.
The Funeral Service will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, July 7, 2023 at Aaron and Burney Bivens Funeral Home, 529 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, FL 32073, (904) 264-1233.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in Shawn’s name to Cathedral Arts Project. Please make donations at capkids.org or by mail to Cathedral Arts Project, 207 N. Laura Street, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32202.