Nelson James Shaw

A really great man and friend

My post of 2019 is still spot on. When those of us old coworkers occasionally get together, invariably , some Nelson stories are fondly shared. To be remembered in such a manner is a great tribute to a great guy.

I did not know of any of my coworkers that didn't respect and care about Nelson. He was always very Professional and just fun to be with. You could always count on Nelson to carry out a task to his best. It's hard to believe it has been six years since his passing. The world lost a good, good person that day.

Nelson will be missed. He was a good person..

Nelson Shaw was a wonderful man. He helped young men learn important skills for themselves and their communities. He was one of a kind and will be greatly missed. The Ashby's

I miss you Nelson.

Thank you all so much for your kind responses. Nelson was having some trouble with edema and redness in his lower legs. He had been to the doctor and was on medication. His legs began getting increasingly red and swollen. He initially even went to the hospital for a couple of days and was given antibiotics and a treatment plan that he followed when he came home.
He was being seen and treated. The infection and edema in his legs worsened in the next few weeks and he went back into the hospital again for treatment.
Then everything seemed to happen so FAST. We did NOT see this coming in the way that it did. Even the team that was working with him did not see it. It seemed to balloon into congestive heart failure on top of the infection. I don't remember everything exactly. I am sure there was more involved in all of this, I just don't know exactly and what I remember may not all be exactly as I heard. But... he was being transferred to another hospital for more examination and treatment of his worsening condition and he never made it out of the hospital. He died on the stretcher as they were getting him ready to be transferred to another hospital.
It wasn't supposed to happen like this. :` (
I cry most every day still.
Many people have blessed us with hugs, cards, meals, flowers, and offers of assistance....
We have a very loving church family at Northridge Community Church who have been helping us through this in so many ways, as well as neighbors around us who have mowed our yard, called, emailed or spent time with us. Our extended families have come to the funeral, called, ministered to us and have offered their assistance. Our pastor and pastoral staff has been attentive and supportive to our needs as well.
I feel the love... and I am grateful to God for the comfort He has sent to us.

I miss you Nelson

The Shaw family is very appreciative to all who have shared their loving condolences with our family.

We have been loved on and guided through this ordeal by family, friends, neighbors and coworkers.

Your calls, visits, cards, notes, meals, flowers and hugs have been such a tremendous blessing to us as we have been mourning the loss of my husband, my best friend, and the father of our two sons.

The love you have shown towards our family has been deeply felt and genuinely appreciated.

Thank you to all who have loved us and cared for Nelson at various times throughout his life...

Thank you for those who were kind to Nelson at his work,
for those who were there for the viewing,
those who were at the funeral,
those who visited, called, sent cards and letters of condolence,
those who fed us & those who housed our out of town family,
those who prepared our meals, drink, dessert,
those who gave comfort,
those who walked with us through the process,
those who provided financial guidance & advice,
those who hugged us and loved us,
for the children and youth who greeted us with genuine compassion,
for the neighbors who reached out and served us,
for many who ministered to us,
and for each of our pastors and friends who stood with us and loved on us...

You have genuinely been the hands, heart, feet and pocket of Christ to us!
May the God of all comfort and peace do the same for you and your household in your time of need.

Lord, please bless Your children! They have blessed us!

Nelson, I was always happy to see you. You were someone I admired. Lots of love John

Nelson was the love of my life. I miss him so much already. Neither of us was perfect, but... Nelson was the perfect man for me, and he often told me that I was the perfect woman for him. We were friends. I learned so much from Nelson. He balanced out my weak areas as I did for him. There were so many things he could do that I admired... his love of forestry, his passion to do his very best at whatever his hand found to do... his desire to assist people in understanding their timberland and it's potential, the MANY, MANY, MANY nights staying up to 0'Dark:30 perfecting the reports that he would provide each landowner so that they could make the VERY BEST LONG TERM DECISIONS concerning their timberland. He worked tirelessly most every night of the week even AFTER coming home because he was committed to doing his best for the landowners.
His number one goal in life was JUST TO BE CONSIDERED EQUAL. His life was an uphill struggle since his birth with cerebral palsy... and we all bore it together.

He would make phone calls most evenings to those he worked with (coworkers/landowners), day and night, making sure they had all the information they needed for every step of the way in their pursuit of a healthy stand of trees. He took pleasure in going back years later to see the fruits of his labors and be sure it was the best it could be. He always worked to the best of his ability in accomplishing each landowner's timberland goals to their satisfaction. He LOVED being a County Forester. It was all he EVER WANTED TO BE. I lamented the day that he no longer worked under the trees and among the smoke. That was the day he began going downhill.

Thank you to all who believed in him, befriended him, loved him and encouraged him. You were the gas in his tank that kept him running.

Thank you from his wife and 2 sons for allowing him to serve the Commonwealth of Virginia. He TRULY LOVED it!

May sweet memories be with you always.
Lavetta & James Barlow

You will always live forever in the hearts of all the young men you touch in scouting . You help make them the young men they are

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

I always admired Nelson's determination. His motto was never give up -- always do your best.
My deepest sympathy to the family.
Will miss you NJ.
Frank Wood, Forestry Technician, Nelson Co., Retired

Sorry to hear of Nelson's passing. I was fortunate to work closely with Nelson while serving with the Earlysville Fire Company. Thoughts and prayers to his family.

Nelson will never be forgotten. My prayers of comfort are for family, friends and past and present co-workers.

There are few people who are able to live their life more closely to the tenants of the Scout Law than Mr. Shaw. As a scout leader, Mr. Shaw was always kind, considerate, and happily passing along his knowledge of forestry to the other scouts. He will be missed. Prayers for Jeremiah, Joshua, and Ms. Shaw.

Mr. Shaw was a very kindhearted and giving person, taking many opportunities to pass down the values of scouting to myself as well as everyone in Troop 75. I am very greatful for everything that he did for us. Thank you Mr. Shaw.

Sorry to hear of Nelson's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Shaw Family.

Mr. Shaw was an incredibly kindhearted man who was always willing to help out a scout in need. Sorry to hear he's not with us anymore.

To The Shaw Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May your memories help to comfort you during this time of sadness.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Shaw family at this time of great loss.

Nelson was a friend to all who met him and will be missed. With deepest sympathy to his family.

I knew Nelson for many yrs i first met him when i was in Elemantary school and he and smokey came to teach about forest fire and safety. Then i was in the fire dept and saw him on lots of wood fires or brush fires. Nelson was a great man and he will be missed dearly. My thoughts and prayers are with The shaw family.

So sorry to hear about Nelson. I worked with him for several years in Scouting. He will be missed! Thoughts and prayers for the whole family.

I remember Nelson taking a group of Scouts, including my son, Chris, outdoors to teach the Boy Scout merit badge, Environmental Science. Nelson could not have been more patient and encouraging to all the Scouts. I also remember going on many a campout with him. We will remember him as a kind soul with a big heart and will keep the Shaw family in our prayers.

I will very much miss Nelson - a godly man who loved his Lord and his family.

Nelson was a very nice person he will be missed but know God has him doing wonderful things for him planting trees and doing what ever needs to do. We went on a lot of Fire calls together. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Shaw family I was fortunate to meet Nelson usually on fires and he was a good man!

My heart breaks for Joan and the boys. I will miss my talks with Nelson here at the office, and at the end of service on Sunday mornings. His heart was big; and now Nelson, you can finally hear all the noises of the forests! ~ Amy Ricotta

I worked with Nelson for approximately 10
years. It was always a pleasure to be in his company. A great guy. May GOD bless you and comfort your family.
Howard Scheurenbrand Jr
Louisa County Forester (Ret)

I am very sorry to hear about Nelson. What a tremendous person, his knowledge, helpfulness and humor will be missed. I will keep the Shaw family in my prayers.

Nelson was a fine leader, teacher and advocate for the boys of BSA Troop 75. He will always be remembered for his dedication to Scouting and his legacy will live on through all those who had the opportunity to learn from him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Joan, Joshua and Jeremiah.

Nelson was a great man and a good man. It was an honor to have known him. May the peace of Christ be with the Shaw family.

Nelson was a nice guy, very helpful. God will find him useful in heaven.

Nelson we will never forget you . You have touch so many lives.

Thoughts and prayers to the Shaw family, thank you Nelson for your service to the community you will be missed.

Nelson guided many lives both in scouting and his work. His service and leadership is greatly appreciated. Our sympathy and prayers go out to the family.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Shaw family, may Nelson rest in peace.
Tammy Butler

It's a dark day in the forest with Nelson's passing.

Nelson will be greatly missed! Thoughts and prayers with the family at this time!

We are very sad to hear of Nelsons passing. We had the priviledge of having him here to do a forestry plan in the recent past. Our sympathy and prayers to the family.

Our thought's and prayer's are with the family.

We will all miss Nelson. We pray for the family and friends. God Bless You.

Nelson was a fine fellow. He was a great scout leader and made a difference in so many boys. My sons and I will miss him. God Bless and Rest in Peace.

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time.

Tom Ward and Michele Mattioli

Remembering Nelson as a MAN that always wanted to stand on his own two feet and one that listened more than most people do with perfect hearing. Both Joan & Nelson were an encouragement to me back in the 80s. Joan...Be Encouraged! Mel McAllister

Nelson was a kind, good-natured person. I worked alongside him for several years in Boy Scout Troop 75. My thoughts and prayers will be there for Joan, Joshua and Jeremiah.

The forest became a little bit darker today. Thoughts are of Nelson and with his family.

Nelson had a heart as big as the forest he devoted his life to. He will be missed by all especially those who really knew, understood and loved him. My thoughts are of Nelson and his family.

My heart and prayers go out to you at your time of loss. Nelson will be missed by all of us at Forestry. May God be with you and yours.