Letters to the Editor
February 18, 2015
STHS king abdicates crown for a greater good
February 18, 2015
Some people just simply know how to have a good time.
And Shane “Shaggy” Authement of Montegut was one of those people.
Listed as an entertainer on Facebook for his fun-loving and joking attitude and nicknamed “Shaggy” for the way he dressed, the 28-year-old lost his life far too young Friday night by the hands of the very thing he made a point to try to stop every time he and his friends indulged in alcoholic beverages.
Whenever friends came over to his Montegut residente and began to consume alcohol, Authement took their keys and wouldn’t allow them to drive intoxicated.
In fact, Authement even refused to ride in vehicles with intoxicated drivers.
And unfortunately, that decision may have cost him his life Friday night as he was making the roughly two-mile walk from Marty J’s Bayou Station to his home when an intoxicated driver struck and killed him as he was walking on the outside portion of La. Highway 58, according to Louisiana State Police.
Since the incident, an outpouring of support has made its way to social media – more than his friends and family ever expected.
“I’m realizing that he knew more people than I would have ever expected,” said his mother Annette Summerlin. “He had a lot of friends that loved and cared for him.”
The reason, they contend, is because Authement constantly gave his effort, time and energy to helping anyone he came in contact with. It went much deeper than stopping his friends from driving intoxicated.
“He was always there for everybody and anybody. I’m glad I got to know him,” said friend Domini Bennett. “He was just a great person. He was always there for me when I needed him. It didn’t matter when it was. He was always there.”
Authement’s mother said his philanthropic attitude didn’t stop with friends, either. In several instances, Authement took in strangers off the street and into their home who needed a place to stay.
“I can’t say he was ever mean to anybody, cause he always took them in. if they were homeless and knowing how hard life was, he would sneak them in his bathroom and he would let them come stay with him,” she said. “He felt sorry for them. When nobody wanted them, he brought them here, and we’d tell him, ‘Shane, we can’t afford the extra expense.’ But he didn’t want to hear that.”
On top of his generosity, Authement’s sunny attitude is what made him a favorite among friends.
“He was the joy of the party. He was the one that brightened everybody,” said his mother.
Authement’s younger brother, Shawn Authement, said it’s crazy to think that Shane won’t be around to brighten his day.
“He made everybody laugh all the time,” said Shawn Authement. “That’s what he considered his entertainment. He was always doing crazy and stupid stuff just to make everybody laugh. When he was mad it was because somebody made him mad. He was never mad. He was always smiling and happy.”
While kicking it with his friends, Shane Authement often skateboarded and played guitar.
At home, Shane strongly bonded with his mother.
“He was a mama’s boy. He was very protective of me. He didn’t want no man or nobody to hurt me,” she said.
He also developed a strong relationship with his dog, even joking that he’d change the last name of the dog, Grady, to his – rather than his mother’s new last name from a new marriage – while she was away.
The day after Shane’s death, Grady left the porch and was missing for two hours – a very uncharastering move for the grieving dog, according to Shane’s mother.
“You could tell he knows something’s up,” said Shane’s mother. “He sensed that something’s going on. I haven’t let him go in Shane’s room because that’s where he was sleep at most of the time, with Shane.”
Shane leaves behind two grandparents, his sister Gabrielle Authement, his father Elwon “Red” Authement Jr., mother and brother.
A wake will be held today from 5 to 8 p.m. and tomorrow from 9 to 11 a.m. at Samart Funeral Home in Bayou Blue, followed by a service at 11 a.m. tomorrow.
Shane “Shaggy” Authement, pictured playing his guitar, knew how to have a good time and was always there for a friend in need.
