Obituary of Milburn Shaw

WEST COLUMBIA-Funeral services for Milburn "Red" Shaw, Jr., will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, April 8, 2013, at West Side Baptist Church, located at 2100 Platt Springs Road, West Columbia. Interment will follow in the West Side Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 until 6 p.m. Sunday, April 7, 2013, at Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington, 4720 Augusta Highway, Lexington. Mr. Shaw passed away Friday, April 5, 2013. Born March 13, 1930, in Augusta, GA, he was the son of the late Milburn Shaw, Sr. and Pearl Moore Shaw Turner. He graduated from University High and attended the USC School of Business. Mr. Shaw was employed by Dunn and Bradstreet for 18 years and by Bagnal Builders for over 40 years as credit and HR manger. As a young man, during WWII, he received a civilian award for building models of enemy aircraft to be used by the allied forces for ID purposes. He was one of the original members of the U.S. Junior Marine Corp. while in school. A great disappointment in his life was learning of a regulation that disqualified him from serving in the military due to him being the only son of blind, disabled parents. Mr. Shaw had been a member and officer of the Federation of the Blind, Rocky Bottom Camp for the Blind, S.C. Association for the Blind, God's Helping Hands and Helpline of the Midlands. He has served as president of the Airport High Band Booster and the University High Booster Clubs. He served as Scout Master of Troop 424 for 20 years and was on the District Eagle Board Committee. M.B.'s boy scouts were his 2nd set of children. He was a strong influence in their lives years after they left his troop. He also received the Scouter's Key Award, District Merit Award, the Good Shepherd Award, God and Country Award, Scouter of the Year and the Silver Beaver Award. Milburn had been an active member of West Side Baptist Church for over 50 years. He had served as teacher, youth leader, deacon, finance committee chairman and on the benevolence committee. His faith and the support and prayer of his church family had given him strength and courage through the years. Being a Clemson Tiger fan and spending time in Death Valley brought him many hours of fun and enjoyment. He was an IPTAY member for over 40 years. He loved to pick on the Gamecock fans that were his friends in spite of their "poor decisions". As a young professional in 1948, he met the love of his life, Vera King Shaw. She was a nursing student and was not allowed to marry until completion of school. True love was stronger than common sense and they secretly married in 1949 several months before graduation. They were married 59 years until her passing in 2008. He was a true example of the Christian husband; he lived his wedding vows each day as he cared for Vera during her years of sickness. Their love brought them three children: Marion Shaw (Deborah) of Aynor, Vickie Barron of Cayce and Todd Shaw (Lisa) of Galax, VA. He was proud to be called "Big Daddy", the name given to him by his first grandchild, Matthew Barron. He had seven other grandchildren: Anna Downing (Michael), Justin Shaw (Ashley), Mary Winburn (Matt), Mark Barron, Whitney Hamm (Chris), Jason Shaw and Krista Shaw. He had six great grands; Kailee, Madison, Hannah, Kelby, Kasen and James. We will miss his jokes, his stories, his phone calls, his generosity and his love for God, country, family and friends. He was a true gentleman and a shining example to those near to him. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to, Boy Scout Troop 424, 201 Cricket Ct., Cayce, SC 29033, or to the Federation Center of the Blind, 119 S. Kilbourne Rd., Columbia, SC 29205. The family wishes to thank the staff of Lexington Gardens, Agape Senior Care and Dr. C. W. Hendricks for their care.