SHAWN KELLY KUBALA 

September 6, 1975-March 3, 2025

   Shawn Kelly Kubala, beloved son, brother, father, and friend passed away at home, where he had lived almost every day of his life, comforted by his loving family as he was taken from this physical world and made his way to God’s love and peace.

     His greatest loves were his family and his home. Running close behind were his music,  friends, literature, and the animals that surrounded him  at his country home. He read everything from Voltaire to Louis L’Amour with insight and pleasure.

     His love of animals was profound, including everything from his beloved dogs to the chapparel that hunted in the pasture and built a nest in the pine tree outside his door and  the  white tail deer that would browse within feet of him. A special favorite was a black coated deer that survived despite the differences that made him an easy target.

   Born in Lockhart, he attended Lockhart ISD through his graduation from Pride High School and continued his education at ACC in Austin, concentrating on music production courses, which he found exciting and easy to apply to his own  music-making.

    His work life included many skills areas. He worked for a while as painter, landscaper, electrician’s assistant,  vet tech, waiter, furniture mover, fast food cook, music-equipment repair tech, machine operator, dog handler, short-order cook, ditch digger, and beekeeper’s assistant.

   But the job he loved best was making music. He asked for his first guitar at the age of 3, and already loved the sound of great guitarists on the radio. He went on to play several instruments, always self-taught. Starting in his teens, he formed and played in several bands that performed locally and even once in Luckenbach Texas. 

   Over the years, he wrote hundreds of songs that he never tried to sell or perform  because  they were drawn from or based  on his personal life and experiences and he was such a private person. Even so, he was passionate about every aspect of the work.

    Anyone wanting to know his personality, beliefs, and sense of irony can seek that in two songs by an Australian named Tim Minchin. The songs “White Wine in the Sun [Son]” and “Not Perfect”  were near the top of his list of favorites. 

     Shawn is survived by his mother, Jo Ann Labay; his sister, Shannon Kyrie Kubala; his daughter Carelyn Haidusek Nisus (husband Max); son Waylon Sage Kubala; godmother and aunt Linda Labay; and dozens of cousins and friends.

    He was preceeded in death by his father, William Kubala; his grandparents, Ben and Emma Labay; grandparents, Fred and Florence Kubala; and by most of his aunts and uncles, some cousins and a few  friends.

     Shawn’s service at Eeds Funeral Home is on Saturday March 15. UT will begin with visitation at 1:30; rosary and prayers at 2:00; with burial to follow.

     The family asks that in lieu of flowers, mourners might consider a donation to Shawn’s funeral fund via forms that will be available before the funeral or a donation in Shawn’s honor to the Aspca or their local animal shelter.