John Dexter Shaw

1943 - 2021

John Dexter Shaw June 24, 1943 - May 15, 2021 John was born in North Hollywood, California. He lived with his family in Van Nuys, California until about age seven, when they moved to Balboa Island near Newport Beach. His childhood was spent sailing, surfing, rowing in his skiff to visit friends, and playing "hide and seek" among rooftops of winter empty beach houses. John's parents were both accomplished artists. His father, Richard Blake Shaw, was a notable Disney cartoonist and his mother, Catherine Dexter Shaw, was a locally known architectural rendering and watercolor artist. John graduated from Desert Sun School in Idylwild, California. He received his BSBA in Business Administration from Denver University, where he met his wife of 53 years, Catherine "Cathy" Thurlow. John worked as Controller of Finance and Property Management at various companies over a period of 35 years: MAI Corporation in Mill Valley and Los Angeles; Wilsey Bennett Company in San Francisco; and Invespar, Inc. in Oakland. Most recently, he worked as a Marin real estate broker for Engel and Volkers in Fairfax. Over the years, John and Cathy lived in both Northern and Southern California: Santa Rosa, Corona del Mar, San Francisco and Fairfax. The family, gratefully, has lived in Fairfax for the last 42 years. John played a Sunday pick up soccer game in Bolinas for many years until the old knees would not carry him anymore. He coached his son and nephew in soccer in Fairfax and was the president of the Fairfax-Sleepy Hollow Little League in the 1980s. He was also a member of the Fairfax Parlor of the Native Sons. John is survived by his wife, Cathy; his children, Kory McGuire (Tom) and A.J. Shaw (Lauren); his brothers Richard (Martha) and Edward Peck; his sisters Casey Shaw Shanley (Russell), and Patti Peck (Bill); grandchildren Eryn, Jack, and Joe McGuire and Lily, Brynley and Aubrey Shaw; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He loved going to the office every morning, even during Covid, partly in hopes of stirring up some of the camaraderie that he missed with his coworkers. He loved sports of all kinds and lamented when he could no longer be a member of the team. He loved his children, grandchildren and family beyond measure. He was the truest of friends and best friend to many. He was kind, loyal and treated everyone with equal consideration. He was, as once described, "As good as they come." So, John, our world will go on, but we are heartbroken that we have to do it without you. We love you Johndy! A memorial service and reception is planned in John's honor on Sunday, September 12, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church, 14 Lagunitas Rd., Ross, California.