In Memory

Shawn Mitchell Miner was released from his wheelchair and this world January 5th. He had been a quadriplegic for more than 40 years. He was a happy, positive man with never a complaint and a great sense of humor. Shawn was born in Wichita, Kansas April 25, 1955. He completed 4 years of college at Metropolitan State College. He was a talented writer, edited and contributed to a college magazine, and qualified for a national academic honor. He continued to be an avid reader & computer user. His best friends were his mother & father, Beverly Gott Miner & Robert R. Miner. He also had several supportive friends, including his brother & his oldest nephew. In recent years, his parents had important assistance from Shawn's good friend, Andy Purcell. Shawn is survived by his parents, his brother, Dr. Christian Miner and his wife, Dr. Diana Miner, his aunt, Mary Adair, four nephews, Liberty, Nicholas, Lucas, Julian & brother-in-law, Douglas Kellokoski. Shawn's sister, Lauren Elaine Kellokoski (his life long buddy) predeceased him six years ago this month. Shawn's death was completely unexpected, going from just fine one minute, to death in two hours. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. If you wish, please make contributions in Shawn's name to Craig Hospital, 3425 S. Clarkson St. Englewood, CO 80113, (303)789-8000.

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Some of you may recall Shawn Miner. The tall, lanky, shoulder length strawberry blonde haired, bass playing, tennis racket swinging, good natured, class skippin, witty, intellectual, Big Lembowsky forerunner. His family moved from Bayside to Denver after that sad accident his Junior year. Shawn was in a back seat of a car that skidded off the infamous Hogsback Rd. near Holy Hill. Rusty cars still lay at the bottom as a testament to 70yrs of tragic teen thrill rides. He lived 42 more years as a paraplegic (nearly quad), twice as long as expected. He was never bitter, had no self pity, didn’t complain, and always maintained his dignified, amusing disposition (and petty gripes get us down?). Legalized cannabis did help him endure the discomfort. Only once did he cry, at 16, when a male nurse dashed all his hopes by callously reporting the wheelchair was “permanent”. Shawn still looked great, seemed 15 years younger than we do and kept rolling himself around in an age of capable people riding motorized chairs. He drove all over the US in his Ironsides vans with his buddy (or pretty girlfriend once) and also rode along all over Europe. Reading and writing kept him sharp, even co-editing a literary magazine for a while. His wonderful parents still provided challenging home care… at 88! Shawn had asked about many of you and even pondered coming to the reunion. But when he unexpectedly passed away peacefully on Saturday it was actually a blessing because his discomforts were becoming an increasing burden. The cause of his death pretty well sums up his life: enlarged heart.

 - - - Dean Chapman