Shawn Patrick Portway's Obituary
Shawn Patrick Portway passed away peacefully on September 13, 2025, surrounded by his family at the age of 63.
Born on July 5, 1962, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Shawn grew up in Virginia and graduated from Oakton High School in 1981. He later moved to California, where he earned a BSBA in Information Systems Management from the University of San Francisco. Shortly after graduating, he met the love of his life, Shelley, beginning a partnership that would define the rest of his life.
Together with his father, Patrick, Shawn built a telecommunications trade show that grew to become the largest of its kind in the world. After selling the business, he and his family relocated to Oklahoma, where he began a long career with Vyvx, now part of Lumen, forming many treasured friendships and leaving a lasting impression as a colleague who was always willing to go above and beyond. Shawn was exceptionally proud of his Emmy award winning product and the team he worked with. Throughout his career, Shawn received several awards and recognitions, including being recognized by the late Senator Edward Kennedy for his efforts in promoting distance learning.
An avid snow skier, Shawn also cherished time on the lake and loved traveling with his family. Above all, he was a devoted husband, a dedicated father, and a loyal friend and co-worker whose quick wit and warm sense of humor brightened every room. He found his greatest joy in time spent with those he loved and took special pride in the young men his sons, Bradley and Zachary, had grown into, celebrating their accomplishments and character. His generosity of spirit and steady support touched everyone who knew him.
Shawn is survived by his wife, Shelley; sons, Bradley and Zachary; father, Patrick; stepmother, Malle; sisters, Pamela (Brian) Eilts and Victoria (the late Mark Parker) Portway; mother-in-law, Janet Swafford; father-in-law, Jim Swafford and wife, Rita; sisters-in-law, Carissa (Brad) Cooper and Amy (Byron) Harvison; step-siblings, Patric (Cindy) McElroy, Brian (Mary) McElroy, Kyle (Mike) Dallaire, Michael McElroy, and Tim McElroy; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Joanne McElroy, stepfather, Joseph McElroy, and stepbrother, Kevin McElroy.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday September 26, 2025 at 2 PM at the Floral Haven Funeral Home Rose Chapel in honor of Shawn's life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Shawn’s memory to the United Network for Organ Sharing, UNOS, https://unos.org/give/.
Webcasting is available at the following link for those that cannot attend in person:
Webcasting
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