ABOUT SHAWN HERRING
December 9, 1983 – June 13, 2015
IN HONOR OF A TRUE COWBOY
Shawn Colton Herring was born on December 9, 1983, in Longmont, Colorado, to Dave and Roxie Herring. On June 13, 2015, at the age of 31, he passed away at Longmont United Hospital after contracting Hantavirus. Shawn’s life was a testament to kindness, faith, and hard work. He had a rare ability to make others feel valued and included, whether in a rodeo arena, at a cookout, or around a campfire in the Colorado mountains.
Though his time here was far too short, his legacy continues through every family helped, every gathering shared, and every life touched by this foundation.
FROM LOSS TO PURPOSE
For all his talents, Shawn’s greatest joy was his family. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, and father. He built relationships that were strong and lasting — rooted in love, laughter, and loyalty.
His kindness extended well beyond family. Shawn helped children with disabilities learn to ride horses, shared his time and skills generously with neighbors, and cared for elders in his community. He was quick with a joke, steady with a hand, and always willing to lend his strength when someone needed help.
Shawn’s sudden passing from Hantavirus was a devastating blow. It revealed the urgent need for greater awareness about this deadly illness and its prevention. From a great loss, the Shawn Herring Memorial Foundation was created — transforming tragedy into purpose.
Our foundation honors Shawn by:
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Walking with families who have lost a child.
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Supporting children who have lost their parents.
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Offering care and resources to children in need.
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Sharing life-saving education about Hantavirus prevention.
TRADITIONS IN HIS HONOR
Shawn loved bringing people together. His favorite gatherings were cowboy cookouts with family and friends, where food, laughter, and fellowship came together. Today, those traditions are carried on in his memory:
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Cowboy Cookout Fundraisers – Shawn’s father, Dave, honors his son’s love of cooking by smoking meats and preparing meals that bring people together. These cookouts now serve as fundraisers, turning Shawn’s favorite pastime into a way to help families in need.
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Annual Wagon & Camping Trip – Each year, family, friends, and supporters spend a week in the Colorado mountains near Red Feather Lakes and the Deerwood Wild Horse Ranch. Together we trail ride, fish, build campfires, and share stories of life and loss. This trip has become a sacred time of healing and connection — exactly the kind of fellowship Shawn would have loved.
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Community Parades & Events – The foundation proudly participates in parades, adoption events, and other community gatherings, spreading joy and awareness while keeping Shawn’s memory alive.
BOOK US FOR YOUR NEXT EVENT OR VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME
Together, we can honor Shawn’s legacy by bringing hope, healing, and awareness to families in need. Whether you invite us to cook for your event, join hands as a volunteer, or simply share our mission with others, your involvement makes a real difference. Every action, big or small, helps us support grieving families and spread life-saving knowledge about Hantavirus.