Pastor Claude E. Shaw, Sr. entered this world in humble surroundings on November 18, 1939 in Stroud, OK and transitioned into his heavenly rest on Saturday, January 10, 2015 in Dos Palos, CA. Age 75 years.
Pastor Shaw was reared in Dos Palos where he attended the local schools. Upon graduating from Dos Palos High School, he served in the US Navy during the Viet Nam War. He was honorably discharged three years later. He then settled in San Francisco where he attended Diablo Valley College where he received an Associate of Arts degree, before attending San Francisco State University and school of Theology. He was employed by John Mansfield for 13 years in the Bay area as Supervisor and retired from Berkeley Lab after 10 years where he was employed as a Supervisor.
Pastor Shaw married Margaret Parker on August 18, 1973 in Las Vegas, Nevada. They shared 42 years of wedded bliss. This union produced four children, Beatrice, Claude, Jr., George and Corey. The latter two preceded him in death. Reverend Shaw resided in Pittsburg, CA for over 30 years. He served as a Deacon at St Mark Baptist Church in Pittsburg, CA under Pastor S. B. Brown from 1982 – 1983, before responding to God’s call to preach. He was ordained a as minister in 1973. He served as Assistant Pastor at First Baptist Church of Pittsburg under Senior Pastor Henry Perkins for 10 years. He served as Pastor at Community Baptist Church of Bay Point for a short time.
Pastor Shaw relocated back to Dos Palos, CA in 2002. He united with New Canaan Missionary Baptist Church under Pastor Keith Skinner before being called to Pastor at Mount Moriah First Baptist Church of Dos Palos. He pastored Mount Moriah for eight years, retiring in 2011.
Pastor Shaw loved the Lord, loved his family who he was very protective of and loved life. When not working, he enjoyed camping trips, traveling and taking cruises. Pastor Shaw had a tremendous amount of love for his family and church family and will be sorely missed.
Family remaining to treasure his precious memories are his devoted wife Margaret of Dos Palos. Two children: Beatrice Parker of Dos Palos and Claude Shaw, Jr. of Concord, CA. Eight siblings: Mildred Malone of Concord, CA, Marilyn Thorn of San Francisco, CA, Josephine Todd of Sacramento, CA Joann Todd of Stockton, CA, Linda Todd of San Francisco, CA, Seretha Todd of Oakland, CA, Gail Todd of Antioch, CA and Carl (Butch) Todd of San Francisco, CA.
A public visitation will be held Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015 from 5 – 7pm at Mount Moriah First Baptist Church; 21372 So. Reynolds Ave., Dos Palos, CA 93620. Funeral Services will be held Friday, Jan. 16, 2015 at 10 at Mount Moriah First Baptist Church. Pastor Shaw will be laid to rest with honors at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Santa Nella on Tuesday. Jan. 20, 2015 at 12:30pm. Services are entrusted to Whitehurst Funeral Chapels of Dos Palos.