Raymond Edwin Shaw

Ray E. Shaw, 76, passed away October 31, 2017. It was also his birthday. Born to Raymond Shaw and Faun Thomas Shaw, he grew up in Jefferson Texas and later attended East Texas State, where he would meet his beloved wife, Betsy. Keeping with his Texas roots, he lived in Denison, Lufkin, Nacogdoches and Tyler. Throughout these years, he was a man with many hats. He taught high school and middle school band most of his career. He also owned and managed a carpet and paint store. While participating in Barber Shop Chorus, local civic theater, countless high school football games, he also loved his early mornings in a duck or deer blind with his son and closest buddies. Also, if there was a piano around, you could guarantee Ray would be playing it.

His next chapter led he and Betsy to New Mexico when their first grandson was born. Ray officially retired and became a full-time artist in Bernalillo. His 3-dimensional carved, fish sculpture have become a staple in art galleries, art shows and patrons' walls. This was his passion for hours on end.

Ray was the perfect father, husband, grandad, friend, music teacher, artist, comic, nature lover, limerick writer, landscaper, skier, fisherman, hunter, and the list goes on and on. Everyone that knew him would agree, he truly was our Ray of Light.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Betsy, his children, Tiffany Shaw and Chris Shaw and his grandchildren, Grayson and Garrett Shaw. He is also survived by his brother, Michael Rivers and sister, E'lisa Hurst, several nieces and nephews, cousins, in-laws and many friends that are considered "family."

A Celebration of Life for Ray will be held in January in Texas, TBD. Because of his love for animals, the family is requesting Memorial contributions be made in his name to your local SPCA or animal shelter.