Gerald Leroy Shadwick

Gerald Leroy (Shad) Shadwick, born June 15, 1931, in Emporia, Kansas, died peacefully in Greeley, Colorado, on May 31, 2023, when he was reunited with his wife, Jeannine Wedell Shadwick. Shad left behind an enduring legacy as a community leader, banker, teacher, volunteer, friend, and mentor. He had a profound impact on many lives during his stays in Emporia, Great Bend and Salina, Kansas, Washington, D.C., and Greeley, Colorado. Shad had a deep-rooted love for his community and country. His remarkable achievements, both professionally and personally, will be remembered and cherished by all who were fortunate enough to know him.

Shad excelled in both academics and sports as a young man. He attended Emporia High School before pursuing his higher education at Emporia State University where he was a varsity track athlete. Next, he attended Kansas State University, where he served as Student Body President, was a member of the Phi Kappa Phi honor society and Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Shad also excelled as a member of the Kansas State track team and as the freshman track coach.

After college, Shad was a Captain in the U.S. Air Force, where he served at Sheppard Air Force Base as an intelligence officer, the track coach, and he also trained track and field athletes training for the Olympics. After the Air Force, Shad worked at Wedell, Inc. in Great Bend, Kansas before heading to Washington D.C. in 1963 to serve as legislative director for Congressman Graham Purcell, and later as Chief of Staff for United States Senator Frank Carlson. These roles allowed him to make a lasting impact on the legislative process, advocating for important causes nationally and locally. He was especially proud of working on the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and was instrumental in the formation of the Presidential Prayer Breakfast. While working on Capitol Hill, Shad earned his law degree at George Washington University. Shad was a member of the Bar of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the U.S. Supreme Court.

After his time in Washington, the family moved to Salina, Kansas in 1968 where he began an illustrious career as a banker and community leader. Shad was the President of the First National Bank & Trust of Salina, Kansas, where he guided the institution with integrity and dedication. In Salina, Shad actively participated in the Rotary Club, served as President and Board Member of the Chamber of Commerce, volunteered for the Salina United Way and Salina Arts Commission, and played an instrumental role in the Rolling Hills Congregational Church. He served as the President of the Salina YMCA, Chairman of the Saline County Republican Party, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Marymount College, and held positions with St. John’s Military School, St. Francis Boys Home, The Brown Mackie Business College, the Kansas Chapter of the Young Presidents Organization, Kansas Bankers Association, Kansas Council on Economic Education, Kansas Calvary, Kansas Wheat Growers Association, Kansas Livestock Association, American Bankers Association and the Kansas Republican Party.

Shad and Jeannine moved to Greeley, Colorado, in 1987, where Shad assumed the role of President, CEO, and Chairman of Bank One, N.A. Greeley, Colorado (formerly Greeley National Bank). In Greeley, Shad continued to make a significant impact on the community. He served as a member of the AIMS Community College Board of Trustees and the Greeley United Way Board, contributed his expertise to the Greeley/Weld County Community Foundation and the Colorado Council on Economic Education, and served as Chairman of the Weld County Private Industry Council. Shad supported the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra and was deeply involved in the Greeley Rotary Club as President and Board Member. He was an active member, Moderator, and Chair of the Board of Trustees of the First Congregational Church in Greeley. Shad played a pivotal role as Chairman and Board Member of the Greeley/Weld County Chamber of Commerce and spearheaded initiatives such as the "Northern Lights" and "Click Weld County" programs.

After his banking career, Shad served as an Executive Professor and Associate Dean at the Kenneth W. Monfort College of Business at the University of Northern Colorado. His transformative leadership earned the college the prestigious Malcolm Baldridge Award, a testament to his dedication to academic excellence and his commitment to shaping future business leaders. The Gerald Shadwick Endowed Professorship of Leadership now carries on his legacy at the business school. He was a Board Member of the UNC Foundation and was an Executive Professor of Finance Emeritus until his death.

Shad believed that serving the community was not only a calling but a duty, and he dedicated his time and energy to numerous organizations and causes. At Greeley National Bank he created the first Hispanic Small Business Start-up Loan Program, the first Hispanic banking center, and opened the first Spanish language ATM in Weld County. He created “Dimensions” a financial resource for women. Shad enjoyed serving on several boards of private companies over the years, including Central Kansas Television (KCKT-Great Bend), Kansas Development Credit Corporation, G.E. Johnson Construction Company Advisory Board, Benchmark Oil and Gas Corporation, and Crested Butte Mountain Resort.

Shad and Jeannine had a deep love for their alma mater, Kansas State University. He actively participated in the Business Dean's Advisory Council, the KSU Foundation Board of Trustees, and the KSU Alumni Association Board of Directors. Nothing made Shad and Jeannine happier than a thrilling Wildcat football or basketball victory. They attended over 15 bowl games to cheer on the Wildcats.

Always a mentor and teacher, Shad once said his mission in life is to enlighten and stimulate others to be better people and to reach for better results in life, and to help his family be emotionally strong, faith based, financially secure, and loving people who enjoyed life and loved to learn. Shad was especially proud that 21 of his employees became bank presidents, a testament to his ability to inspire and guide others to succeed.

A man of deep faith, Shad was devoted to his Lord Jesus Christ, his family, and his beloved wife, whom he cherished for 67 years before her passing in August 2021. Together, they were an incredible team, actively engaging in their communities and leaving a lasting impact wherever they went. Shad and Jeannine loved to travel the world and had a particular love for music and the arts. They shared a love of community, church, family, and friendships. Above all, Shad’s proudest accomplishment was his family. He was a loving and devoted husband to Jeannine and a nurturing father to his four children, his grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren. He leaves behind a legacy of faith and love. Shad made the world a better place. His was a life well-lived.

Shad was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Grace Shadwick, and his brother, Ivan Shadwick. He is survived by his children, Jeff Shadwick of Houston, Texas, Monte (Jannell) Shadwick of Salina, Kansas, Jay (Dianne) of Overland Park, Kansas, and Nancy (David) Lovell of Kirkwood, Missouri; his grandchildren, Mary Katherine, Madeline (Cole), Sam, Graham, Grayson, Ben (Kasey), Will (Marissa), Tom, Blake, Reagan, Hannah, and Anne; and great-grandchildren – Emmett and Ezekiel.

Memorial contributions may be made to the UNC Gerald Shadwick Professorship of Leadership at the Monfort College of Business, and the First Congregational Church of Greeley.

A celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at First Congregational Church of Greeley. To share memories and condolences, please visit Allnuttgreeley.com.

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