Obituary of Leslie "Shawn" Trader

Shawn Trader, 64, was born April 18, 1959, in San Antonio, Texas, to Frances Lee Trader.   He died at his home in La Porte, Texas, on March 13, 2024. He was a resident of South Houston, Texas, for 24 years and a graduate of South Houston High School. On Nov. 6, 1982, he married the love of his life, Elizabeth Trader. He and Liz made their home in La Porte, where they raised their two sons and have resided for 40 years.

Although Shawn began his work life as a journeyman electrician/welder with Houston Lighting and Power, where he worked from 1979 to 2003, he would find his true calling in the classrooms, hallways, and welding shop of Texas City High School. At the urging of Principal Mike Rhodes, who saw Shawn as the perfect person to lead a new welding program in partnership with BP, Shawn launched what would become an immensely successful teaching career in 2006. The idea of the new program was to attract kids, and Shawn’s welding classes continued to be in high demand until his retirement in 2022. His students competed successfully in Skills USA and advanced to state year after year.

Not only did Shawn instruct his welding students in the rudiments and fine points of their craft, but he also demanded that they learn to value good character so they would become not only good employees in the future, but also quality human beings. He was a natural at teaching and connecting with students, his fellow teachers, and administrators. For his efforts, Shawn was named New Teacher of the Year, a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Club of Texas City, and recipient of the Rotary Vocational Service Award. He was a distinguished teacher at the Principal’s Honors Breakfast for the top students in the classes of 2008 and 2014.

Shawn had long been involved in Eastern Star (1984) and Masonic activities, beginning as a Mason in 1981. He served as Worshipful Master in 2023. He became active in Arabia Shrine activities in 2019, serving in a number of capacities, including San Jacinto Shrine Club Ambassador in 2019, 2020, 2023; Clown Jewels Unit Vice-President in 2020 and 2024; Arabia Shrine Colonel in 2021; Director’s Staff President in 2022; Southeast Club Vice-President in 2022-24; and Board of Trustees 2022-24.  He had been affiliated with Scottish Rite since 2021.

Shawn is preceded in death by his mother, Frances Lee Trader and his brother Robin Lee Tarver. He is survived by his wife, Liz Trader of La Porte; son, Zach Trader and wife Rachel of Pearland; son, Jacob and wife Billye of Pasadena; and grandchildren Sam Giamalva, Emma Giamalva, Noah Trader, and Leah Trader.

Services for Shawn will be held Friday, March 22 at Clayton Funeral Home in Pearland, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. and service to follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at 3:00 p.m. in Willowhole Cemetery, 12912 FM1372 in North Zulch, TX. Masonic rites will be performed at both services.

Pallbearers will be Zach Trader, Jacob Trader, Sam Giamalva, Noah Trader, John King, Keith Carpenter, Chris Mason, Colin Lien, and Ross Cook.