Paul Crosby Shaw

Paul Crosby Shaw (87) passed away peacefully at his home on July 27, 2025. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was born February 15, 1938, to the late Cyrus J. Shaw and Hazel McKenzie Shaw in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Paul's siblings are Mary; David (deceased), wife Karen; Shirley Cheek, husband Frank (deceased); John (deceased), wife Judy.
When Paul was 19 and a student at Arkansas Tech University, he felt the call to ministry and decided to enroll at Oregon Bible College in Oregon, Illinois. There he met and married Dolena Ward who was also a student at the college. They celebrated 67 years of marriage in February 2025.
Paul and Dolena are the parents of two beloved sons, Greg and Mike Shaw. Greg and his wife Sonja, Phoenix, AZ, are the parents of Meghan Morrison (John David); Jon (fiancée Ry Mcdounagh); and stepchildren Elizabeth (Lizzie) Melgoza, Michael Starkey and Jaiden Starkey. Mike (deceased) and his wife, Debbie, Lake Jackson, TX, are the parents of Aaron Shaw (Veronica); Dale; Sarah (Skyler); and Matthew (Jordan). Great-grandchildren in Arizona are Hank, Boone and Eleanor. Great-grandchildren in Texas are Jaden, Thomas, Theo, Beauregard (Beau), Syrus and Sophia.
Paul's career pathway was varied, to say the least. In 1963 he became the National Youth Director for the Church of God, a position he held until 1968. He oversaw 69 chartered Berean youth groups and traveled the country directing youth camps and leading training programs.
In 1967, Paul's father, C.J. Shaw, decided to retire from ministry at the New Hope Church of God in Little Rock, Arkansas, and Paul succeeded him as pastor. In 1969 his brother David mentioned an opportunity for Paul to go to work for Southwestern Bell in a management position. Following a promotion, the family moved to Houston and later to Brazosport, Texas, where Paul's professional and civic contributions blossomed.
In Brazosport, Paul embraced community service with vigor. He served on the boards of the Visiting Nurses Association and Junior Achievement of Brazoria County, chaired the Freeport City Planning Commission, and was a regent for Brazosport College. As a Rotarian, he led record-breaking fundraising events and promoted international fellowship through trips and exchanges with Mexico City Rotarians.
Paul's leadership in the United Way of Brazoria County was transformative. As campaign chairman and later president, he introduced the theme "A Possible Dream" and helped the organization surpass the $1 million fundraising mark for the first time in its history.
In 1976, Paul joined First Freeport National Bank as vice president and later executive vice president. His civic commitment continued as he founded the Freeport League to revitalize the town.
Later, Paul took his revitalization spirit to Bellville, Texas, where he served as bank president. After a few years as the bank president, Paul's interest turned to computer programming. At the request of a CPA firm in Bellville, he began working to develop a product to automate producing the annual audit report for a Texas school district. This led to the birth of AuditWare Development Company, Inc., a firm that created audit reporting software for CPA firms in Texas and California.
In their later years, Paul and Dolena moved from Texas to Phoenix, AZ where their son Greg and family lived. They became active members of Lakeshore Bible Church in Tempe, Arizona, where many old friends from over the years were also attending.
Through every chapter of his life-pastor, executive, civic leader, programmer, and family man-Paul Shaw lived with joy, energy, and purpose. Paul and Dolena have always believed in a loving, faithful Heavenly Father and His only begotten son, their Savior, Jesus Christ, who paid the price on the cross for their sins. This faith and promise of the resurrection to eternal life in God's glorious Kingdom has sustained them throughout the many years of their lives and even in death.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lord's Harvest International, a missions organization by going to lakeshorebible.net (click on Connect/Giving) or to Hospice of the Valley at their website.
Live Stream Link: https://vimeo.com/event/5280913
Recorded Video Link: https://vimeo.com/1105337358