Shawn Paul was born on Dec. 3, 1975, in Bowman to Steve and Judy (Janvrin) Thompson. He lived near Ludlow, S.D., for the first six years of his life on the Janvrin farm. The farm is where he grew to love the outdoors and animals.
In 1981, the Thompson family moved to the Pheasant Run neighborhood of Williston. While at the trailer court, Shawn had one passion — his bike. His favorite pastime was building new bike tracks and bike jumps all summer long.
Shawn attended St. Joseph’s School through sixth grade. Around sixth grade, Shawn started to spend his summers at the X-X Janvrin Ranch in South Dakota. Shawn looked forward to these summers all year long to be able to go work with his cousins and uncle. He worked at the ranch for at least five summers.
Shawn loved high school for the social events and extracurricular activities. His favorite sport was pole vaulting, with a personal best vault of 12-6. After graduating from Williston High School in 1995, Shawn worked various jobs and attended college on and off. Right after high school he purchased his first sport bike, a Kawasaki Ninja 600. This is where he gained his need for speed. The stories from his escapades on the extreme machines are truly amazing.
He pushed himself in the oil industry to learn and become knowledgeable of his jobs, but always found time to be with his kids and wife and have fun.
Shawn found his true love Stephanie Smart at Maurices in downtown Williston. Shawn was in love with her after his first date. In the summer of ‘98, Shawn and Stephanie found out that they were going to have their first child. Alexis was born on Feb. 4, 1999, at St. Alexius Hospital in Bismarck. Soon to follow was Hailey, Brielle and Cole. This union blessed in their church was celebrated each year on May 12.
Shawn’s kids were his greatest joy in life and what he lived to see at the end of his day. Stephanie and Shawn loved to get away from the business of life and the cell phone. Camping and taking the kids swimming was something they would do to get away together and have family time. Shawn was game for anything, finding any and all activities adventurous.
Some of his greatest passions in life were hunting, watching movies and riding his toys. Shawn’s latest need for speed in life was satisfied riding his new snowmobile in the mountains and riding four-wheeler.
Shawn will be missed by one and all. He was someone who could tell a joke, a story or make anyone feel like he was their friend. Shawn would do anything for anybody, at anytime.
Shawn died early Tuesday April 14, 2009, of natural causes at St. Alexius Hospital in Bismarck.
Shawn is survived by his wife, Stephanie and their four children, Alexis, Hailey, Brielle and Cole; his parents, Steve and Judy Thompson, of Williston; his brother, Maverick (Jenny) of Beulah; sister, Tara (Blain) Brunelle, of Williston; his maternal grandmother, Clara Braun, of Buffalo, S.D.; paternal grandmother, Stella Thompson, of Dickinson; father-in-law, Steve (Pat) Smart, of Sidney; in-laws, Ione Smart, of Sidney, Henry and Juliet Sapp, of Havre and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Paul Thompson and Clair Janvrin and a step-grandfather, Roger Moul.
Friends may call at the Fulkerson Funeral Home, Williston on Thursday from 12-5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and one hour before services at the school on Saturday.
Friends are encouraged to share their memories and condolences with the family on line at www.fulkersons.com.
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