John Arthur Shaw

John Arthur was born in Austin, Texas, on December 13, 1944, to Jesse Shaw and Minnie Lee (Clay-Washington) Shaw. He was the second youngest of six children, including his brothers Frank, Joe, Jesse, and Howard, and his sister, Ella.

John grew up in the historic St. John’s community in Austin. He attended St. John’s Elementary, Kealing Middle School, and the old LC Anderson High School.

John loved hunting and fishing with his brothers and cousins, and he loved football.

Football was a huge part of John’s life. He started playing at Kealing Junior High, and continued to play at Anderson High School, where he was a standout Offensive and Defensive Tackle. In 2021, he was inducted into the Prairie View Interscholastic League Coaches Association (PVILCA) Hall of Fame for his accomplishments on the field. He volunteered as a Pop Warner football coach in East Austin and Round Rock for several years, coaching and mentoring young boys, many of whom went on to have outstanding careers.

After high school, in 1964, John married Johnnie Mae Mitchell. He and Johnnie were lifelong friends. Married 60 years, they built a life and family centered around their love for one another and their children.

As a child, John balanced his schoolwork with field labor as a migrant worker with his parents. Those early experiences fueled his ambition to become a business owner. He went on to start several businesses and was able to hire and help others in the community.

John made friends easily and was well known in the communities where he lived. He was known for his sharp, quick-witted jokes and banter, and his ability to talk to anyone.

John expressed faith in God as a child and was baptized at College Heights Baptist Church in Austin by Pastor A.C. Clark. He later joined Mount Sinai Baptist Church, led by Pastor A.W. Anthony Mays, and eventually Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Round Rock with Pastor Michael Oyedokun. At Good Hope John served as both a Deacon and Usher and made use of his handy man skills to support various projects and ministries in whatever way he could.

His faith in God and the support and love of his family carried him through many difficult times as he battled cancer and suffered the loss of two sons.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Minnie (Clay-Washington) Shaw; his brothers, Frank Shaw, Joe Shaw, Howard Shaw; his sister, Ella Brown; his sons, John Shaw and Marc Shaw; his adopted daughter, Catherine Kroll; his grandson, Marc Allen Shaw and great-granddaughter Saela McMarion.

He leaves behind a legacy of fierce loyalty, kindness, faith, and love. He is survived by his wife, Johnnie Mae Shaw; his brother, Jesse Shaw, Jr.; his children, Sheryl Jackson (William), Kelly Shaw (Kathy), Angela Shaw, Tracye Shaw (Nate), Keia Shaw and Cheryl Camille Shaw; his grandchildren, William Jackson, III, Samara Jackson, Kelly Shaw, Jr., Jaydon Shaw, Isaiah Hamilton, Christian Hamilton, Taylor Shaw, Madison Shaw, Tiera Shaw, Tyra Shaw, Tariana Shaw, Haly Washington; and great-grandchildren, Eden Shaw, Zyah Brown, Omari Brown, Kijani Brown, and Josiah Shaw; nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.