George Shaw

George Henry Shaw of Marietta, Georgia, died May 26, 2023, after suffering a stroke that required emergency surgery. Over the course of the week in the Neurology ICU, he improved and spent meaningful time with his family by speaking a few hoarse words (including Coke Zero) and squeezing his family’s hands. He then quickly declined and passed away on the 26th. He was 75 years old and preparing to serve a mission with his wife, DeEtte, for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Denver, Colorado area.

He was born February 9, 1948, in McComb, Mississippi, the youngest of three sons born to George Fletcher and Frances Dorothy Klingman Shaw. He grew up in the small railroad town of McComb and graduated from McComb High School and Southwest Mississippi Community College before heading west in 1968 to earn a Business Management degree from Brigham Young University in 1970. While at BYU, he met a farm girl, DeEtte Hanks, from Burley, Idaho, and they were married in Idaho Falls, Idaho, Latter-day Saint Temple on June 1, 1971.

His education and post-college career were financed by Kemper Insurance Company by a scholarship and then employment where he held a variety of positions with Kemper in several states: Jackson, Mississippi; Orlando, Florida; Plano, Texas; and Atlanta, Georgia, before the nearly century-old business closed. He was then able to travel and enjoy training others in e-Commerce with the Harbinger Corporation. George’s last professional job as Business Support Analyst with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in Decatur, Georgia, was the job he enjoyed most. He had a variety of responsibilities but enjoyed screening candidates for employment, working with the locksmiths and security and even was at the morgue now and then.

Following his retirement in early 2017, he liked to say he was the Managing General Partner at Retired. George and DeEtte traveled extensively, especially to see their five children, who are scattered throughout the United States. George’s family and his religious faith were his greatest passions. He and DeEtte were truly fortunate to have a year of travel in 2022 and fulfilled DeEtte’s dream of a safari in Africa. The wonderful year culminated with a trip to Arizona in December, to see his first college roommate who had become a life-long friend.

George was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Fletcher, and his in-laws, Phil and Buelah Hanks. He is survived by his brother David (Daphne), his wife, DeEtte Hanks Shaw, and five children: Christie (Brad) Gammill, Kimberly (Nick) Tustison, Douglas (Staci) Shaw, David P. Shaw, and Jeff (Laura) Shaw. Ten beloved grandchildren lost their Grandpa George.

Funeral services will be Saturday, June 10, 2023, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 500 Norcross St., Roswell, GA 30075. Viewing will be from 12 to 1:45 pm and the funeral begins at 2 pm.

A visitation and service will be held locally at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home in Burley, Idaho, on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, with visitation from 9:30 am to 10:45 am, and the service following at 11:00 am. Interment will be at the Pleasant View Cemetery in Burley, Idaho.

George’s family has chosen Southwest Mississippi Community College Alumni Association to be the recipient of donations in lieu of flowers. This college was able to provide a great start for his remaining education and we would like to help others continue their education.
Donations on behalf of George H. Shaw can be mailed to the following:
Southwest MS Community College Alumni Association
C/O Mrs. Loran Gerald
1156 College Drive
Summit, MS 39666
Or if you prefer an online payment option, you may use Zelle to send your donation to Christie Gammill (George’s oldest daughter) who is coordinating with the college. Payment via Zelle to csgammill@bellsouth.net with a memo “George Shaw”.