Birth date: Mar 18, 2000 Death date: Mar 9, 2025
BRIAN PATRICK SHOCKLEY, 24, of Leesburg, Virginia, passed away on Sunday, March 9, 2025, in Reston, Virginia. If the only measure of a human's life were time, it would seem short, but when measured in memorable moments and love, B Read Obituary
I met Brian, along with the rest of our online friend group, during the pandemic. We were all bored out of our minds, stuck at home with nothing better to do. What started as just playing video games together became something beyond what I think anyone expected. 5 years later, we are all not just friends, but truly chosen family. Brian was and is an inextricable piece of this family.
I remember him excitedly calling us to tell us the news in his life--new jobs, new creative projects, the birth of his children! I remember him calling or messaging me to ask for advice or when he needed a compassionate ear. It always made me feel honored--and surprised--at how much he valued my thoughts or opinions.
I remember the last time I heard him speak--he introduced all of us to Grayson, who wanted to see everyone's cats and say hi to all of them. It was amazing to hear how talkative and articulate he is already at such a young age. I have no doubt that it's because he takes after his dad.
All of our little online family is grieving this massive, massive loss.
For myself personally, Brian had an impact that he probably didn't even realize. In May 2021, I visited Colorado Springs to finally meet some of my online pals, Brian included. He tried his hardest to be the first one to greet me when I arrived in town, "racing" our friend Devin to beat him there. Because of Brian's infectious enthusiasm, I made the somewhat-impulsive decision (very Brian of me) to move to Colorado a few months later.
My own life changed so much for the better from that decision. Brian was the one pushing for that. It felt like my life finally started, I felt freer and I finally started pursuing the things I really wanted. He was the biggest and best cheerleader that you could ever ask for.
When our mutual friend Griffin and I started making music together, of course it was Brian who was not only rooting for us, but pushing us to go forward with our passions, and act on them! Brian was our number one fan, and loved to talk about our music, and the story we had all created together. He lent his vocals to the first track we ever released, and was a thoughtful and dedicated creative partner.
He shared his love for screaming and metal music, and could make anyone, no matter their music taste, appreciate the beauty and artistry even in something that might initially seem harsh, or scary, or ugly. In everything he did, he was open-minded, slow to judge, quick to love.
Brian knew how to make everyone in his life feel important. I keep coming back to this message he sent me when we released our song we made together:
"It's been so inspirational and uplifting witnessing you take on this passion and create art with it. I'm so glad I got to see it for myself and I can't wait to see what else comes your way."
i only had a brief opportunity to know brian; we worked at the same bar job for a while, chatted often during work, went out for drinks after a night shift once. this was a year and a half or so ago, and i absolutely do remember him; he was very memorable. there was this presence about him, a very positive one, like he was ready & willing to bring a smile wherever he went and hoped to share it with everyone he met. he EXUDED passion, and his zest for life was something i kinda looked up to. he was very talkative, very charismatic, and VERY quick on his feet. profoundly witty, too. just an overall fun guy to be around. certainly left an impression on me in the relatively short time i knew him. i will remember him fondly, based on the joy and excitement he brought into the lives of those around him, even complete strangers at the bar, and i offer my condolences to his family as they process this tragic loss.
We only ever met in person once but the past 5 years of knowing you, you've helped me change for the better. All the time sharing songs and playing games together will be cherished also now when ever I hear a screamo song you'll come to mind. Thank you and we'll miss you.
Love from -Danny
Brian. I remember way back in highschool when you stood up for me when I was being picked on. It's weird, because it's one of the few things I actually remember from my early highschool years. A kid was being really mean to me, and even though at that point we hadn't known eachother long, you still stood between me and him and got him to leave me alone for the rest of the year. And I tell this story because it just exemplifies your amazing character, and how you have continually done this even up to your last year. One thing about you is when you said you had someones back, you REALLY had their back. When someone was in your crew, you would make it known that you would really do anything for them. Drive out to them, or just give one of your classic hype up speeches and let you know "No, you really really matter". Fast forward a bit to December 2023, you played a huge role in my music making. Me and our mutual friend Rain had been developing an album, but your work that you did on our songs, and the way you talked us through the conceptualization of this project... you gave so much life to this project and brought it all together. And even when I would just come up with an idea for it and show it to you, you would let me know that what I made was something very special to you. And not in the way that anyone just calls something special, it's the way YOU did it that really resonated with me, and something I still feel within me today. Your words of encouragement, your motivation, your brightness. That electric energy you gave to me and so many others in this world. That spirit you had endlessly inspires me, and changed my life for the better. The way you just effortlessly, unrelentingly loved. I hope I was able to give back in any small way, and I hope you knew how special you were to not only me, but everyone else in our friend group, some of which you have never met. It makes me so happy that you got around to making your own music, covers, and things of the like. I still remember last year when I, with the help of Rain, was trying to teach you what I had learned from the past several years of music making... and it made me so proud when 3 or 4 months ago you got it off the ground and got to producing those covers all on your own. You were one of the kindest, brightest people I have ever met and I want to continue to make you proud with everything i make going forward. We all love and miss you so much. And I am sending my deepest condolences to your family as they navigate this difficult time. Until we meet again - Griffin
