James 'Jim' Richard Shaw

MELLEN, Wis. - James Richard Shaw, 86, passed away peacefully at Mellen Manor on Aug. 16, 2016, from complications of congestive heart failure.

He was born in Maxie, Ga., in 1930, the only child of Richard Mosely Shaw and Winifred Josephine (Davis) Shaw.

James, usually known as Jim, is survived by his wife of 65 years, Hilda Dorothy (Nolf) Shaw, who resides at Mellen Manor; and by children, Melinda (Glen) Colver, of Mellen, Kathleen Shaw, of Madison, and Dave (Kristie) Shaw, of Los Angeles. He also is survived by his grandchildren, Travis (Yuki) Stone, of San Francisco, Nichole (Anish) Easow, of Texas, Jessica Colver, of Mellen, Martin (Francesca) Colver, of Madison, Tara (Nate) Colver, of Cayuga, Dustin (Hope) Colver, of Alaska, and Mandy (James) Slaughter, of Kansas City, Mo; great-grandchildren, Daenerys and Daemon Stone, Jasmine Erazo, Zephen and Lilly Easow, Donovan Vanusek, Adam Pharr, Fiona and Beverly Slaughter, and Glorawyn and Thalion Colver, and very close friends who have been with him through the years, Dave Pafford and Beth Middleton.

He was preceded in death by his grandson, Doug Stone.

Jim led a very busy and adventurous life. After a few childhood years in Georgia, he and his parents relocated to Arizona, and Jim spent most of his childhood and a significant portion of his adulthood in various cities in Arizona and California.

Phoenix was where he met his wife, Hilda, who was a student nurse in the hospital where he was recovering from a serious auto accident.

During the years, Jim earned his bachelor's degree and two master's degrees and enjoyed a wide variety of occupations, most of which were directed at community service. In his later career years he facilitated fund-raising for nonprofit organizations, a job that took him and Hilda to residence in several states, including Ohio, Florida, Kentucky and New Jersey. He and Hilda retired to Mellen in 1997 and spent several years living independently, then eight years with his daughters and their families and Dave Pafford before moving to Mellen Manor in March of 2016.

Some highlights of his life include ownership of the Saxon General Store in Saxon, spring try-outs with the Yankees, and much travel, including some international sojourns. He and his family were always proud of his involvement in the civil rights movement, including participation in the march from Selma to Montgomery, during which he met Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Jim enjoyed reading, talking history and social issues, music and dancing, travel, appreciating the beauties of the natural world, swimming (especially in the ocean), eating out (especially at Mexican restaurants) and, primarily, spending time with family. He was dearly loved and will be sorely missed.

Services will be held at a later date in Madison.

Family and friends will be gathering at Mellen Manor with Jim's wife, Hilda, on Aug. 28, from 2 to 3 p.m., to remember and celebrate his life.

Anyone wishing to share remembrances of Jim is welcome to attend, and anyone wishing to give anything in memory of Jim is requested to direct their gifts to the Legion Memorial Library in Mellen.

The family would also like to thank the staff at Mellen Manor, and at Emerson, for their loving care during the last few years and for their support during this difficult time.