Shawn Lindsey McFadden

Shawn Lindsey McFadden was born after Christmas on December 29, 1973, at the LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. His parents, Wayne and Louise McFadden lived in Montpelier, Idaho. They traveled to Salt Lake City and stayed with his maternal grandparents to deliver the baby they were expecting. He was the last baby to leave the hospital in 1973. He was met by his anxiously awaiting brother and sister wrapped in a Christmas stocking.

His parents returned to Montpelier but soon found themselves back in Salt Lake City for a bit and eventually settled in Nampa, Idaho around 1976. As Shawn grew up, we quickly learned he had no fear. He was willing to try anything and was usually pretty good at it. He was very athletic, which made it very easy for him to excel most of the time. He loved to ride bikes with the neighborhood kids and could often be found building bigger and better ramps to take their bikes over, many times arriving home with quite a few bumps and bruises. Shawn enjoyed participating in wrestling and soccer but his true love for bareback riding became apparent after his first attempt at Mutton Busting. It took a bit of coaxing once he got down in the chute to climb aboard the assigned rank sheep and to nod his head to have the gate open, but with a little help from his dad, the gate opened and an obsession was born. As he returned to the chute his first question was when could he do it again. As he grew too big to ride sheep he moved on to bareback horses.

We also learned that he was never short of friends. Whether it was a day at the park, the rodeo grounds, or a camping trip, you could be guaranteed that shortly after arriving he would show up with 3 or 4 young girls offering to entertain and babysit him. He lived the motto of never knowing a stranger, it was only a matter of time before Shawn had a new friend for life.

During Shawn’s high school years, his dad took a job with the State of Idaho and that meant the family had to relocate to Jerome. At this time, Shawn was the oldest at home with two younger siblings. He became a member of the Rodeo at Jerome High School and rode bareback horses for District V. In 1993 he qualified to compete in the State High School Final where he was awarded the State Championship and represented Idaho at the National High School Finals in Gillette, Wyoming.

After high school, Shawn attended Idaho State University and rodeoed for their college team.  Unfortunately, he dislocated his shoulder and was sidelined due to the injury. It was here that he met Nicole Jones and married in June 1996. Shawn and Nicole soon welcomed their first child, Wyatt James, in January 1998 and Morgan Caleb in 1999. Tragedy happened when Morgan was one month old, and Wyatt’s life was lost due to a drowning accident.  Shawn and Nicole tried to make things work but several years later as they were going through a divorce, Shawn was in a terrible accident. On Father’s Day 2006, he was out riding in the same saddle as Morgan when their horse scattered as an empty spray trailer went by. He protected Morgan from injury as they came off the horse, but Shawn suffered a very serious traumatic brain injury. After being life-flighted to Boise Trauma Center and many months in the hospital and other care facilities, he landed at Oak Creek Rehabilitation in Kimberly, Idaho, where he spent his remaining years. We would like to thank Oak Creek Rehabilitation for the many years of care they gave Shawn.

Shawn is survived by his father, Wayne McFadden, Idaho; son, Morgan (Chasta) McFadden, Texas; three brothers and one sister and their spouses; many nieces and nephews; and a few great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Wyatt James; and his mother, Diana Louise.

Graveside service will be held at 1:00 pm, Monday, January 15, 2024, at Jerome Cemetery, 701 West Avenue I, Jerome. Brian and Kristi McFadden are opening their house and inviting anyone who would like to come for additional memories and warm food immediately after the graveside service at 3643 N. 3100 E., Twin Falls, Idaho 83301.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Idaho High School Rodeo Association Scholarship fund, Idaho High School Rodeo Association (ihsraidaho.com)  or the District V High School Rodeo fund, 5TH District Of Idaho (5thdistrictihsra.com) .

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Lauana’s memorial webpage at www.farnsworthmortuary.com.