Shawn Dale Szymanski, Sr.

Shawn Dale Szymanski Sr. passed away on December 3^rd, 2024 in Provo, UT. He was 49 years old.

Son of Steve and Debby Szymanski, he was born April 29^th, 1975 in Pocatello, ID. He graduated from Highland High School in 1993 and jumped into his career with both feet. He built his career with Fred Meyer, working his way up through the ranks into senior management. He later worked managing several different fast-food restaurants and retail stores. In 2023 he happily retired from management and began running his own business franchise, Recyclops.

Shawn loved camping, fishing and hunting with family. He spent much of his free time getting ‘lost in the woods.’ He was affectionately called the Fish Whisperer. He loved building and fixing things, and always had a project going. He was very organized and made sure he had tools for every job. All who knew him well, knew not to mess with his tools! 

From an early age Shawn loved to play board games, cards or dice. He became very good poker player with uncanny good luck and was known to ‘clean house’ whether it was a friendly game or in a casino in Jackpot, NV. Shawn was a huge San Francisco 49ers fan. The highlight of his fan experience was being able to attend a 49ers game in person in 2002.

In October of 2021 he met the love of his life, Becca. Both had nearly given up on online dating and logged into their E-harmony profiles on the same day to deactivate their accounts, but found each other instead. It didn’t take long to realize that they were made for each other and they were married a few months later in February of 2022.

Shawn was a deeply loved. His passing was sudden and unexpected. 

He has been a rock to many, a master at sarcastic humor and witty timing, and even a glorious pain in the neck to a small select few (because no matter what happened between you in your lives, once you were marked as important to him, he'd be by your side if you needed him). He was so many things to his family and so many others – son, father, friend, coworker and colleague, cousin, brother, stand-in father to the fatherless, handyman, artist, garden designer, builder the list goes on and on.

He was preceded to heaven by his sisters Bobby Jean and Selena, son-in-law Troy Higgins, aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents. He is survived by his parents; his wife, Becca; his children Shaylyn Higgins, Shawn Szymanski Jr., Shania Szymanski & Tilyr Szymanski; his step-children Lorenzo, Cecilia, LeGrande, Layton, Lance and Liam Lolo; his sister Neta High (Eric); grand-daughters Zamora & Zayleyona Higgins; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and his puppy cat, Bandit.

His funeral services will be held at the Fairview Rock Church 131 E 100 N in Fairview, UT at 11am Friday, December 13^th with a viewing immediately preceding from 9:30 - 10:30am. A celebration of life will be held at the Liberty Hall Event Center 325 W Benton St in Pocatello Idaho on Sunday the 15^th of December from 5-8pm.

To Watch Recorded Funeral Services, Click Here. 

To Watch Recorded Graveside Services, Click Here.

Recordings are available for 60 days from date of service.