Amber Portwood’s Dad Dies, ‘Teen Mom’ Devastated

Amber Portwood’s dad has died. After being placed in a medically induced coma earlier this month, as reported by the Inquisitr, the Teen Mom father, Shawn Portwood Sr., lost his life.

On Tuesday, Amber’s brother, Shawn Portwood Jr., announced the sad news.

“My dad passed away last night. He was 50. He was put in an induced coma on Friday after liver surgery at Orlando Regional Medical Center. We are making burial arrangements now,” Shawn Jr. revealed to the U.K.’s Daily Mail on December 17. “My dad was the most important person in Amber’s and my life. He was a very strong-willed person and even though he was battling illness for a very long time, he never gave up. He didn’t give up on life. He didn’t give up on his family. He didn’t want to give up. I like to think that he was able to see my son, Eli, for the last time before he died. He lived through pain for many years but it didn’t prevent him from sticking it through all the way to the end.”

Throughout her struggles with drug addiction, Amber Portwood’s dad was at her side. Even after she went to prison, her father remained at her side and helped her stay focused on getting sober for the sake of her five-year-old daughter, Leah Shirley.

“I know that he helped Amber because he gave her strength to get better. He is the reason she was able to turn her life around,” Shawn Jr. told the site. “He set the precedent for what she needed to do to get better. What Amber was able to accomplish by getting her life back on track had a lot to do with our dad. I know for a fact that he was always proud of what we accomplished. Me and Amber. He was proud that she was able to get through those tough times.”

On Tuesday, prior to his father’s passing, Shawn Jr. revealed to Radar Online that Shawn Portwood Sr. was awaiting a liver transplant.

When Amber Portwood’s dad’s death was discovered, the reality star was understandably devastated.

“When I called Amber to tell her, she didn’t say a whole lot of anything. She was too busy crying. He’s been sick for a while but there is no way to prepare for this. He was a great man and he deserves to be remembered in the best way. He was our heart and soul and is deeply missed by everyone who knew him. I never thought I was capable of feeling the way I do now after losing my father and a million tears will not take this pain away from me, Amber, and the rest of his family.”

Although Amber had been by her father’s side earlier this month, she recently returned home to Indiana after becoming ill.

“Amber’s got strep throat and flew back to Indiana a few days ago,” Shawn Jr. said. “She and Leah are getting on a plane now to come to Florida. His mom and Amber’s and my grandmother Harlene is here now with us. It was tough because the last time we were able to talk to him it was just about pain and doctors and stuff like that.”

As for how he wants Amber Portwood’s dad to be remembered, Shawn Jr. explained, “I want him to be remembered for his love for God, his children, family, and especially his grandchildren who he talked about constantly.”

[Photo via Twitter]