SHAUN VOWDENTeenager Shaun Vowden, who was killed with his friend in a motorcycle accident on 15 July, 2008, had a smile that could melt hearts, his mother said.
Shaun, 15, from Wonford in Exeter, and his friend, David McDonald, 16, were travelling along a dual carriageway in Exeteron a Yamaha bike when they collided with a crash barrier and a lamppost.
Shaun's mother, Jenifer Vowden, paid tribute to her son. She said: "Shaun was independent, caring, funny, a joker. So many people have said how much they are going to miss his smile and him making them laugh."
Mrs Vowden said the family moved from Slough in Berkshire to Exeter in 2002 and Shaun had made many friends in the area. Shaun was a former pupil of St James School and was a keen sportsman. "He loved to kayak," added Mrs Vowden.
"He had his level one and two and if he had finished his level three he would have done the instructor course.
"Anything active and adventurous he loved, whether it was kickboxing or rock climbing."
Shaun had intended joining the Army, following in his father's and brother's footsteps.
He was survived by one brother, Duncan Bentley, and three sisters, Rachel Burton, Ashley Bentley, and Emma Vowden.
Despite being the youngest, Shaun was protective of his older sisters. "He was very mature for his age," said Mrs Vowden. "If Duncan wasn't here, he was the man of the house. He would get away with murder with his smile and big eyes.
Shaun's girlfriend Kim Ellis, 16, also spoke of her loss and said shewas “heartbroken”.
She said: “He was lovely. His smile always cheered me up and he just made me so happy.”
She last saw Shaun on the night of her school prom when she said he told her he loved her.
Kim said if she could say anything to Shaun it would be: “My baby boy rest in peace. You treated me like your little princess. We had good times together which will never be forgotten. Love you lots, sleep tight.”
Debbie Patch, a family friend, said: "He was a dear boy, always respectful and never rude. He was the sort of person who always said hello to you if he saw you in the street."
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