Don Shaw

Don Shaw, 82, a cowboy, livestock broker, auctioneer and trailer dealer who operated a stockyards in Collierville for more than 45 years, died peacefully on January 6, 2013. Shaw was born on a farm in northern Indiana, near Pine Village. He left that farm to work as a cowboy on ranches in Wyoming while still a teen. He became an astute cattleman and, during the 1950s, managed a series of ranches in the West and South, including serving as herdsman for several notable registered cattle operations. After years of raising and successfully showing cattle, and working as an “order buyer” (an expert who buys cattle for third parties), he moved here in 1960 to operate Collierville Stockyards on Hwy 72. He eventually developed a horse and stock trailer business in conjunction with the stockyards. Shaw was also a skilled horseman and helped his granddaughter, Jenni Shaw Tidmore, earn multiple national championships in the American Quarter Horse Association. Although the cattle sales (for which he often served as auctioneer) ended in 2006, the trailer operation continues under the direction of Shaw’s longtime business partner and close family friend, Richard Petrowski. Shaw was known for his outgoing personality, sense of humor, generosity and gift of gab. His storytelling abilities were most apparent when he was spinning colorful tales from his past, some of which may have been true. He is survived by his wife, Mary Anece (Honey) Shaw; sons Phil Shaw of Hot Springs, Ark., and Punch Shaw of Fort Worth, Texas; and granddaughter Jenni Tidmore and great-granddaughter Megan Tidmore of Arab, AL. Funeral services will be at Collierville Funeral Home, Wednesday, January 9 at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Magnolia Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in his name. Collierville Funeral Home 901-853-2628 www.ColliervilleFuneral.com

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Published in The Commercial Appeal on January 9, 2013