Henry Wilson Shaw

Henry 'Bud' Wilson Shaw passed away on Wednesday, February 2, 2022 in Austin, Texas at the age of 68. Bud was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the third of five sons of Harry Murray Shaw and Margaret Ann Shaw.


Bud's father, Harry, had a passion for work that is familiar to those of us who knew Bud well. This took their growing family all over the US from Minneapolis, MN (where Bud was born), through Vancouver, WA, Wichita, KS, Seattle, WA, and Houston, TX, where Bud graduated from high school.


From an early age, Bud had a passion for 'electronics' which he shared with his father, Harry. When Bud was in high school, the Shaw family owned a control panel from the "Lost in Space" movie. He would disappear into his closet for days - taking the panel apart and reconfiguring it to display all sorts of different lights and sounds. An inquisitive mind, Bud was always looking for the latest tech and loved helping out his family by troubleshooting tech issues anytime day or night.


After graduating from Westbury High School (Houston, TX) in 1972, Bud was accepted at the University of Houston where he graduated with a Bachelor's in Hotel & Restaurant Management in 1979. While at U of H, Bud was the Sigma Chi president and Inter-fraternity Council president, later becoming Midwestern Inter-fraternity Council president. In his senior year, Bud was recognized as a 'top ten student on campus' at U of H.


Post graduation, he spent his career in the restaurant business, building an expertise in IT and operations management roles notably at Whataburger (1983-2003), Backyard Burgers (2003-2011), Blake's Lottaburger (2011-2017), and finally at Hat Creek (2017-2022). Bud truly loved his work. Always ready to answer an after hours call from a peer who needed his help or advice. Bud credited much of his career achievement to the wonderful people he worked with over the years. In particular noting the sound advice he received from his friends Charles Long and Shelby Dobson.


While at the University of Houston, he met the love of his life, Miriam McLaughin. He first noticed her on campus during her visits to the Dean's Office (where he worked); it took a few weeks, but soon enough they became inseparable. They were married August 18, 1979 at the Crosby Catholic Church in Crosby, TX. This August they would have celebrated their 43rd anniversary. Next, Bud and Miriam set about raising their two exuberant children, Matthew and Elizabeth.


Bud and son Matt shared a love of business - sparked by years of playing Railroad Tycoon together on the old IBM 486 late into the night. Matt cites this as one of his fondest memories of his time with Bud. 'Dad showed up' everywhere in son Matt's life, well except for sports - that was Miriam's forte of course. Later, as Matt began to navigate his own career, Bud shared this sage advice with his son, "Matt, you are a man of your own convictions" - one of many cornerstone pieces of advice that Matt has continually cherished.


Bud loved a good doggie or grandbaby to cuddle and his daughter Beth gave him ample opportunity to show his love for both. Shortly after picking up her new dachshund, Abby, high-school-age daughter Beth headed out to a friend's birthday party, leaving Bud behind "alone" to care for the new dog for a few hours. Upon Beth's return home later that evening, she found Abby curled up on Bud's shoulder (the best grandbaby holder spot too as it turns out!). "Beth's dog" was now Bud's. Similarly, following Beth's son, Eamon's birth, while visiting the hospital, Bud was quickly able to engage and provide his top tier grandbaby cuddle services - holding Eamon "for hours" as Beth rested. In truth he would have held all of his grandbabies and grand puppies for days on end because he shared love in abundance, and anything his kids loved he loved with all of his heart.


Bud's loyalty and devotion to others is evidenced by the decades-long friendships that he cherished and the adventures he shared with many. Bud and Miriam shared a passion for cruises, often with their good friends Michael and Mari Cuevas. On a cruise to Alaska, Michael, Mari, Bud, and Miriam together boarded a canoe. Bud booked the excursion keenly aware of the paddling "expectation", but the other three were less prepared. Faced with the challenge, they collectively got straight to work and were furiously paddling away attempting to make progress in the current. Shortly thereafter, their guide 'saved' them and flipped the engine on to speed them over to the shore. A big relief and laugh for all four!


Bud was happiest when surrounded by friends and family, especially if he was preparing the meal and sharing it. The consummate host, Bud loved his Christmas' in Houston with extended family - hosting upwards of 30 family members at their house. Every moment of the preparation and hosting of those Christmas' were some of his favorite memories.

A gentle giant, kind-hearted, teller of great, grand stories, devoted friend, proud father, best holder of grandbabies, and devoted husband, Bud will be deeply and profoundly missed.


Bud is preceded in death by his parents Harry Shaw and Margaret Shaw, and brother Tim Shaw. He is survived by his beloved wife, Miriam Shaw; son Matthew and daughter-in-law Sarah of Austin, Texas, their sons Oliver and Jacob Shaw; daughter Elizabeth and son-in-law Colin of San Antonio, Texas, and their daughter Margaret and son Eamon McCurry.


In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central New Mexico, where Bud was a Big Brother for several years, eventually being recognized as big brother of the year.