Woodward, Okla. — Charles Warren Shaw, age 76, of Vici, Oklahoma passed from this earth on September 1st 2012 at the age of 76.    Charles, belovedly known as “Chub” to almost all who knew and loved him, was born to Charles Cross Shaw and Hazel Doris (Lucas) Shaw on 26 March 1936 in Elkhart, Kansas.  

Following Charles’ birth his family resided briefly in Boise City, Oklahoma where they operated the Shaw Funeral Home; however, his parents soon moved to Vici, Oklahoma  in the fall of 1937, primarily to protect their infant son from the fate of dust pneumonia that had overcome their first born daughter Ruth Nell-as well as many other Panhandle residents that endured the "Dust Bowl" days of America.  The family began a new funeral home in Vici and Charles Warren was to spend the rest of his formative years in this town, attending Kindergarten through High School at Vici Schools where he graduated in 1954.  He attended Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Oklahoma Panhandle State University) for two years, one year at State University, and completed his final year of college at Panhandle A&M, graduating in 1958 with a Bachelor’s degree in business.  During his college years he participated in the Reserve Officer Training Corps and served as an enlisted medic in both the 95thInfantry Division of the US Army Reserve and the 45thInfantry Division of the Oklahoma National Guard.  Soon after college Chub worked for the US Forestry Service as a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps employed near Telluride, Colorado.   In 1959 Charles met his wife to be, Joy Colleen Cardwell, at Fort Supply, Oklahoma.  They were joined in Marriage on the 7thof March, 1960 in Enid, Oklahoma and soon departed for the Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science in Dallas, Texas where he received a degree in Mortuary Science.  Joy also received her Funeral Director’s License at this time.  Upon graduation, Charles joined the family firm, Shaw Funeral Home, in 1961 and resided in Leedey, Oklahoma.  Three years later he briefly left the firm for four years, where he helped establish the department of mortuary science in Edmond at Central State University. He instructed embalming and other mortuary science related courses there - now designated as the University of Central Oklahoma. This was the first program in the USA to offer a bachelors degree in the field of mortuary science. With the failing health of his father, Charles C. Shaw, Chub returned to Vici in 1969 along with his wife, and their three children, Allyson Dru, Jennifer Jean, and Trevor Warren Shaw and assumed the helm of the Shaw Funeral Home.  Charles expanded the business during his tenure by adding  a Arnett  e to the existing offices in Vici, Taloga, and Leedey. Chub continued to reside in Vici, Oklahoma for the remainder of his life and managed the Shaw Funeral Home until 2002, at which time he assumed a semi-retired role.  In 2011 while attending the Oklahoma Funeral Director’s Associations awards ceremony to receive their recognition as the only husband-wife 50-year Funeral Directing team, Charles was honored at this event by being selected by his industry peers as the Oklahoma State Funeral Director of the Year.  While this well planned recognition was a surprise to him at the time, it was not for the multitude of his peers, nor for the thousands of families he patiently, kindly, and diligently served for over half a century in Northwest Oklahoma.

Chub was incredibly active in and dedicated to his community, touching nearly every facet of service involving city management, regional business development, education, and conservation,  Charles was a member of the Vici Lions Club, the Vici Masonic Lodge, the Dewey County Historical Society, Vici School Board, Vici City Council, Vici Alumni Board, Vici Education Fund, Manor Apartment Board, Vici Ambulance Service as an Emergency Medical Technician, Board Member for the High Plains Resource Conservation & Development Council, Friends of Historic Fort Supply, Assistant Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 265, Order of the Arrow Member - Boy Scouts of America, Oklahoma Wildlife Safety Certification Instructor, Licensed Aircraft Pilot and member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association,  Oklahoma City Bombing Grief counselor, Treasurer  of the Oklahoma State Funeral Director’s Board, District Governor of the Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association, and Lifetime National Rifle Association member where he was active in many statewide fundraising and policy-shaping efforts in support of the 2nd Amendment.  Charles was a key elder of the United Methodist Church of Vici, holding nearly every office at the local level and serving at the district and conference level on the Church’s  Disaster Relief Board and Circle of Care.  

Charles’ life was one of passion and dedicated stewardship for the activities, ideals, and institutions he held most dear.   One of his greatest joys was as an outdoor sportsman and conservationist.  Chub loved nature and wildlife and enjoyed nothing more than observing this part of God’s glory whether he be immersed in the grand National Parks of our nation or observing his beloved birds and squirrels in his backyard.  He loved hunting afield with one of his many firearms that so fascinated him, and always enjoyed the experience regardless of the contents of the game bag following the hunt.  He particularly loved upland game hunting with the native bobwhite quail being his particular favorite game animal.  He was a master of the shotgun and excelled at clay target games.  He even owned and operated his own Sporting Clays course at the beginning of that sport and assisted in the operation of other courses throughout the region.  When he could find time he also enjoyed exercising his angling skills, having fished many waters throughout his state and nation having a particular fondness for the rainbow trout.  He proudly passed on his love of the outdoors; his hunting, shooting, and fishing skills; and his love of firearms to his son and grandchildren who carry on those traditions today.  He cherished his family farm; homesteaded by his Grandparents, Ralph and Emma Shaw in 1892 and located Southeast of Vici on Camp Creek.  Beginning in the 1970s, Chub worked tirelessly to renovate and preserve his Grandparent’s log-cabin, constructed on that property from native cedar logs at the turn of the century.  That cabin remains today as a functioning and comfortable hunting lodge - a testament to his successful and untiring efforts.   He was also a staunch preservationist of the Ogallala Aquifer, his personal experience and knowledge of the Oklahoma dust bowl made him a particularly zealous champion of water conservation as well as responsible farming and land management practices.  He would ask all of you to carry on the fight to ensure the western plains retain this unique and threatened resource for the benefit of generations to come.

Charles was an avid family and regional historian as well.  He continued his mother’s tradition of exploring, expanding, and documenting his family’s knowledge of their genealogy, exploiting the new technologies of the internet to assemble a more comprehensive picture of his heritage.  He also contributed mightily to the body of historical knowledge of the great American Dust Bowl of the 1930s.  He personally assisted with several of the books and documentaries written and produced regarding the Dust Bowl experience, ensuring his own experiences and those of his parents, relatives, and friends were passed on and recorded for the educational and environmental benefit of future generations.

Additionally, Chub was an eager and dedicated traveler. He managed to visit all fifty of the United States of America, and was able to visit many European countries as well as Israel.  He fostered a special bond with the American West, particularly enjoying his travels in the Rocky Mountain states.   He especially loved his fifth-wheel RV trailer and participated in much fun and fellowship with like-minded camping enthusiasts in his later years.

Charles was an accomplished and talented singer, performing in several choirs throughout his school years, and then teaming with his equally vocally talented wife to sing either duets or as part of other choral groups for the benefit of their family, church, and funeral attendees.  Charles’ daughters inherited his vocal talents and continue to entertain their communities in the same tradition.

Chub was a talented and caring steward of the United Methodist Church in Vici.   A member of the church for almost his entire life, he tirelessly dedicated his time, management skills, and resources to ensure the health, morale, growth and modernization of his church home.  Behind all these efforts was his dedication to God and his Savior, Lord Jesus Christ.  Charles upheld the great commission of Christianity, living his daily life as a shining example of the Christian faith – one which his family and others in daily life respected and emulated for the benefit of God’s kingdom.

Perhaps his favorite and longest enduring passion was that of husband and father and grandfather.  He and Joy had fifty-two fulfilling years of marriage together, through the good and the bad with his sense of humor and faith firmly in place.  They spent quality time together travelling the world as well as spending many an evening together watching the great western movies, John Wayne being a special favorite. His children grew up knowing they were loved and treasured with a strong connection to family history and a love of their Lord Jesus Christ. He loved taking his grandchildren out to the family farm to target shoot and hunt.  Many happy hours were spent riding “the mule” through rolling pastureland or the streets of Vici, and laughter was always in the air.

Lastly, it should be noted that Charles will forever be remembered as an adventurer.  Perhaps not in the traditional sense of the meaning, but rather for his unique and driven ability to create adventure for himself and those around him though small mistakes, oversights, miscalculations, and pure misfortune – typically resulting in hilarious results.  These events later evolved into beloved stories and recollections to be told by friends and family around the dinner table or den accompanied by belly-laughs.  His much loved Tuesday night card playing gang only served to embellish these stories to higher levels of humor and infamy.  It would be fair to say that everyone that knew Chub Shaw had a funny Chub Shaw story.  For his beloved imperfections and his ability to laugh at himself, he has made all our lives richer, more vibrant and more joyful for having known and loved Charles Warren Shaw.

Charles was preceded in death by his sisters Ruth Nell and Jean Beth, his father, Charles Cross Shaw, and his mother, Hazel Doris Lucas Shaw.  He is survived by his wife, Joy Colleen (Cardwell) Shaw, of 52 years; his Daughter Allyson Dru, son-in-law George Martin Crosby, Granddaughter, Spencer Rebecca Crosby, Grandson Remington Clay Crosby, and Great-Grandson Silas Lucien Crosby, all of Montrose Colorado.  Daughter Jennifer Jean, Son-in-Law Harry (Eddie), and Granddaughters Emily Joy, Audra Elizabeth, and Natalie Allyson Jones of LaVergne, Tennesee.  Son, Trevor Warren, Daughter-in–law Michele Florine, Grandsons John Julian Warren, Charles Connor Warren; and Granddaughters Anita Hayley Michele, and Jennifer Erika Paige Shaw of Greensboro, North Carolina.  He is also survived by beloved sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and a countless host of dedicated friends – Charles loved, respected, and cherished them all.  There may have been other men who loved and cherished their families and hometown as much as Chub, but never any one who loved and cherished them more.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, September 4, 2012 in the Jerald Shaw Aduitorium, Vici, Oklahoma with burial following in Riley Cemetery.  Services arranged by Shaw Funeral Home Condolences may be made to the family and Memorial Tribute viewed at shawfuneralhome.net