Dr. B.L. "Buddy" Shaw

1933 - 2018

Dr. B. L. "Buddy" Shaw

Shreveport, LA - Dr. B. L. "Buddy" Shaw was born on September 6, 1933 and raised in the rural community of Jamestown, LA. He passed away peacefully on January 18, 2018 at the age of 84. His mother and father's influence instilled a deep and abiding faith in God.

After graduating from Jamestown High School, he went on to receive his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Northwestern State University, and an Ed.D. degree from Louisiana State University. He served in the United States Army, and upon returning to civilian life, he sought to continue to make a substantial impact on his community and pursued a career in education.

He served in various roles throughout Caddo Parish Schools where he began in 1956 as a classroom teacher at Hamilton Terrace Junior High School. Buddy went on to become an assistant principal of Youree Drive Junior High School in 1965, but his most prized role began when he was appointed principal of C.E. Byrd High School from 1970 to 1986. While serving as principal he was named a Danforth Fellow, an appointment which required an in-depth study for improving the school where he was principal. From this study came a comprehensive renovation of C.E. Byrd High School and the birth of the math/science magnet school. In 2000, Buddy as a former principal was inducted into the Byrd High School Hall of Fame.

Following retirement, he served on the Caddo Parish School Board from 1987 to 1994, also as the School Board president in 1992. He served on the Louisiana School Boards Association from 1989 to 1994 and led the association as President. Also, Buddy served on the Northwestern State University Board and East Texas Baptist University Board of Trustees. He had the pleasure of working as a Senior Admissions Counselor for East Texas Baptist University. Buddy's desire to see students reach their God-given potential led him to establish scholarship opportunities at each institution he touched - endowments which continue to this day through the C.E. Byrd Alumni Association, Northwestern StateUniversity and East Texas Baptist University. Buddy was a member of the East Shreveport Rotary International.

With over 38 years of service to the community in public education and local politics, he made a commitment to further serve his community and state, and was elected in 1995 to the Louisiana State House of Representatives, District 6, which he served until 2004. Buddy decided in 2007 to run for the Louisiana State Senate, District 37, where he served from 2008-2012. On the House floor, Buddy was known for his no nonsense approach coupled with quick wit. He consistently advocated for government efficiencies but strongly urged his colleagues to never do so at the expense of public education.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Levi and Iva (Nix) Shaw; brother, Milton Franklin Shaw; sister, Helen Shaw Lamborn and husband Clifford; brother-in-law, James Goss; and son, Edward Minor.

Survivors include his wife Dr. Mary Ann Neff Shaw; daughters Stephanie Shaw, Mary Jane Lowder and husband, Charles; son, Chris Minor; grandsons, Charles "Preston" Lowder, IV and wife Sarah, Dr. James David Lowder and wife Katie; great-grandchildren, Mary Ellen Lowder, Molly Elizabeth Lowder, Charles "Charlie" Preston Lowder V, and Huck Shaw Lowder all of Shreveport; sister, Geri Goss; and a number of nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 24, 2018, from 9:00 -10:00 a.m. followed by a 10:30 a.m. service at First Presbyterian Church, 900 Jordan St, Shreveport, LA 71101, under the direction of Rev. Dr. Chris Currie, Rev. R. Rhodes Stipp, and Dr. Tom Harrison. There will be another visitation from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. followed by a 2:30 p.m. service held at the Jamestown Baptist Church, 5852 LA-154, Jamestown, LA 71045, under the direction of Rev. Everett Geis, Sr., with the burial proceeding at Providence Cemetery in Ringgold, LA.

Honoring Buddy as pallbearers are Collins Nix, Gary Warren, Charles Williams, Bob Neff, Gordon Blackman, Doug Caulkins, Bobby Conly, Allen Shaw, Daniel Goss, Richard Pullig, Ray Germany and Frank Stawasz. Honorary pallbearers are Harry Miley, Don Bamburg, Larry Shaw, Tommy Bailiff, Lane White, Loyd Todd, Elvis Culberthouse, Doug Hanby, Powell Layton and Robert Deloch.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes for donations to be made to the C.E. Byrd High School Alumni Association - Dr. B.L. Shaw Student Scholarship Fund, 3201 Line Avenue, Shreveport, LA 71104.

"O God, I am a man - not Divine - not God. I am a man - I like all men shall die. Between birth and death, I shall face problems and joys. I shall experience the garment of emotions from love to hate to fear and often all the emotions shall be so mixed. Life is very difficult. But like all men I am immortal - not of my will but of the will of the Creator God. I unlike some men but also like many men face the transition of death with faith in Jesus Christ that "He" will deliver me ultimately into a perfect and righteous relationship with my Heavenly Father. Herein lies my hope that bringeth peace out of utter despair.

Amen." - Dr. B.L. "Buddy" Shaw December 7th, 1974.