The LeTourneau University community and the East Texas soccer world are in shock after the sudden passing of freshman forward Henry Shore over the weekend.
The 18-year-old Longview native died unexpectedly, leaving behind his parents, a twin brother, a sister, countless teammates, and friends who loved him deeply.
Henry was born and raised in Longview, Texas, the son of Kenneth and Lindsey Shore.
His father, Kenneth, owns SHOCO Production, LLC, and anyone who visited his Facebook page over the years saw it filled with proud posts about Henry’s games, goals, and milestones.
Henry grew up alongside his twin brother Philip and his sister Eva Grace.
Family was everything to him, and his parents were his biggest supporters from the earliest days of playing with East Texas United Soccer Club.
For high school, Henry started at Longview High School for ninth and tenth grade before transferring to St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Austin for his junior and senior years.
This fall, he arrived at LeTourneau University in Longview as a construction management major and quickly became one of the brightest stars on the men’s soccer team.
In his very first college season (2025), Henry was unstoppable.
The freshman forward earned All-SCAC First Team honors, was named to the All-Freshman Team, and finished third in the conference with eight goals while ranking fourth with 18 total points. He scored seven of those goals in conference play alone.
On October 12, he recorded the program’s first hat trick since 2019 in a 3-1 victory over St. Thomas, and the next day, he was named SCAC Offensive Player of the Week after scoring four goals in a single week.
His eight goals were the most by a LeTourneau freshman since 2005.
Teammates and opponents alike say Henry played with joy. He had a huge smile, a relentless work rate, and a knack for being in the right place at the right time.
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When the news was announced, tributes from all over East Texas began to pour in.
His father, Kenneth, confirmed the heartbreaking loss on social media:
“We lost our precious Henry. Visitation will be this Friday at 1pm at First United Methodist in downtown Longview. Service will follow at 2pm. After that, we will lay him next to my mother at Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery, 22604 County Rd 3107, Gladewater, TX 75647. We are heartbroken. Please keep Phillip and Eva Grace in your prayers.”
Via Facebook
Childhood friends and family friends also shared their grief.
Melanie Shaw Smith wrote,
“Henry was a very precious little boy we had the privilege of watching grow into a young man. Michael’s twin. So many good memories. You all are in our hearts and prayers. Rest in peace, Henry. Never forgotten.”
Via Facebook
Holly Hunt Gonzalez posted,
“Oh Mr. Kenneth and Ms. Lindsey…Josh and I are devastated and heartbroken for you and Phillip and Eva Grace…it seems like yesterday seeing Henry in the gym with us…we have you all in our prayers.”
Via Facebook
Former teammate Graysen Crawford simply wrote,
“love you bro, I know you already heavens top scorer ❤️.”
Via Instagram
Dawn Neal Gratton asked for prayers, noting that her son and his teammates had known Henry for years through East Texas United and had cheered his success at LeTourneau.
LeTourneau University President Dr. Steven D. Mason released a statement saying,
“I am grateful for our LeTourneau community and the ways we can support one another in a time of great pain such as this. Henry will always be a cherished member of the LeTourneau University family. Please keep Henry’s family in your prayers.”
Via letuathletics
The university has made counseling services available to students, staff, and anyone personally affected by Henry’s death.
Henry Shore’s life was far too short, but in 18 years, he touched countless people with his talent, his kindness, and that smile on the soccer field. East Texas has lost one of its own, and he will never be forgotten.
Rest in peace, Henry.
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