Shawn Allen Gran (51) was better known as the guy selling you popcorn and movie tickets at Parks Plaza Theatre in Buellton, and it was his greatest pleasure to do so. Born December 20th, 1964 in Pomona, CA to Robert and Dian Gran, Shawn was a third generation movie theatre owner and operator. He spent much of his early life in Santa Maria.
At the age of three months, his family bought the boarded up Park-Aire Drive-In on Donovan road. Living with his parents and two brothers in a small apartment under the movie screen, he worked from the time he could walk. Shawn and his brothers helped the family develop a movie and drive-in theatre empire throughout California and Arizona.
Shawn met the love of his life, the former Denise Simas, when they attended St. Joseph High School in Santa Maria, thereby cementing his relationship to Santa Maria. Shawn took advantage of Denise's studious nature and near-sightedness when she both married him and helped the aspiring football player to get his degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Shawn and Denise moved to Lake Havasu City, Arizona for a time, to run one of the family theatres, and traveled the country supporting his children in BMX racing. In 2008, Shawn and his family returned to the Central Coast to take over the Buellton Parks Plaza Theatre and he planted his roots deep in the community. Shawn was the father of four children, Brandon, Tyler, Sara and Chase, and he also molded hundreds of other Santa Ynez Valley youth as a YFL football coach and commissioner.
As everyone's favorite movie operator, he mentored countless other Valley parents with his thoughtful advice and untiring example. Shawn was one of those amazing men who spoke to everyone, and will be most missed because his absence is so noticeable. We can't believe he is gone, but he has inspired a generation to fill in behind him.
He is preceded in death by his father, Bob and his son Brandon. He is survived by his loving wife, Denise, his children, Chase, of Solvang, his son Tyler and daughter Sara, both of Lake Havasu City, his mother, Dian, of Shell Beach, brothers Bobby and Jerret and their wives, and numerous relatives and friends.
As a tribute to his dad, his son Chase would like to add that he taught him the most valuable lessons in life. He was the greatest man Chase has ever known, and Chase hopes to be half the man and father that he was to his family. We will all miss him.
Shawn left us unexpectedly early in the morning of September 22, 2016. Services were held at the Old Mission Santa Ines at 10am on Monday, September 26, followed by interment at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Ballard. Services are being handled by Loper Funeral Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that all donations be sent to Dunn School (2555 CA-154, Los Olivos, CA 93441) in his honor.
