Shawn Earle Titus, 45, former Geneva High School athlete and US Army veteran, died Saturday, July 14, at his home in New Carlisle, Ohio. He was a well-known tattoo artist and the owner of Wicked Ink & Iron Tattoo Studio in New Carlisle. Ohio.

Titus was a 1986 graduate of Geneva High School where he was an all star member of the football team and also on the volleyball team.  Following his graduation, he joined the Green Berets of the U.S. Army ‘s First Battalion for 10 years and served in Korea.   After his military service, he returned to Geneva for several years before relocating to Ohio.

In a recent article, reporter Mike Woody wrote of Titus: “In a sense the world is an open gallery of art by Shawn Titus, as people from everywhere are decorated with his paintings. A renowned tattoo artist, Titus views the body as a canvas and his work is displayed on individuals from all across the globe. For his art to leave such a lasting impression on his clients is a privilege that Titus finds great honor in. “

“I’ll always be a part of that person. No matter what happens.  I’ll be alive in some way by the tattoos. It’s like a type of immortality,” Titus told Woody.

Titus attended tattoo shows all over the US and previously owned Bad Dogg Tattoos in Fairborn, Ohio. He has a clientele of more than 25,000 people, including judges, punk rock bands and doctors, from teen-agers to a 93 year old gentleman.

Titus was most proud of the personal relationships he formed with the people he tattooed. By the time a client left his studio, they had become friends.

He was also a national respected painter who attended gallery openings and supported local artists.

Shawn Titus will be remembered as a kind and gentle soul who loved life and his many friends. He enjoyed his motorcycle, lifting weights, listening to music, eating sushi and spending time with his family, especially on Facebook ((waving)).

He is survived by two children, a daughter, Bayleigh Voisine, 22, of Alabama and a son, Shawn Hunter, 3, of New Carlisle, Ohio; a sister, Christine Titus Kennedy of Rochester; a brother, David of Waterloo; nephews Ean Titus and Joshua Boatwright and nieces Olivia Boatwright and Alyssa France.  He was predeceased by his mother, Joyce, in 2003 and his father, Richard Titus in 1977.

Friends are invited to gather in celebration of Shawn’s life from 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2, at the American Legion, 1115 Lochland Road, Geneva.