Stanley Shaw

Stanley Shaw, 94, passed away peacefully on February 16, 2022 with Dean, his loving wife of 67 years by his side. Stan was preceded in death by his parents, Barnett and Beatrice, and brother, Al. He is beloved by his children, Scott (Lorna), Bradley (Kay), Barbara (Daniel) Pacheco, Jennie (Lewis) Marshall, and Dennis (Erin). Stan was a guiding light for his six grandchildren, Craig Pacheco, Melissa Pacheco, Carly Honerkamp (Alex), Alec Shaw (Jess), Derrick Marshall and Henry Shaw. In December, Stan and Dean were blessed with their first great grandchild, Archer Honerkamp.

Stan was born and raised in Brooklyn NY and became a jazz guitar musician in his teens. He served in the US Army as an entertainer. Following his graduation from Brooklyn College with a degree in Chemical Engineering, Stan’s career took him to Cincinnati, where he met Dean, a beautiful and brilliant nursing school student and they fell madly in love, marrying months later following Dean’s graduation. They relocated to the east coast to begin their family. With three young children and one on the way, Stan took an opportunity to develop heat transfer fluids at Monsanto in St. Louis in 1962.

Stan was a man of many talents: photography, electronics, cars, cooking and fishing. But his passion was music — big band and all kinds of jazz. He was a charter member of the Gateway City Big Band, playing guitar with them for more than 30 years. Stan and Dean retired and built a house on Table Rock Lake where they enjoyed the water, the bass, and bringing together the family. After a move to Springfield, MO, Stan continued to play guitar with Caduceus, the Doctors’ Band until several years ago.

Stan gave his children not only love but support and cheerleading for every musical, academic and athletic endeavor. He and Dean set a great example for what a strong marriage and great family should be. In sharing life lessons with his grandchildren he once said, “It is good to be appreciated and especially — to be loved.”

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorials be directed to the Gateway City Big Band, a 501(C)3 nonprofit that supports organizations like the North County Big Band. It provides learning and performance opportunities for talented students from north county and city that their schools can’t provide, and it pays off. Last year seven of the band’s graduates received full college scholarships! And this is about more than playing music; the skills and confidence gained with music transfers to all aspects of a young person’s life.

Contributions to the Gateway City Big Band, a 501(C)(3) non-profit, are tax deductible. Make checks payable to the Gateway City Big Band, write “North County Big Band” on the memo line and mail to 249 Brixham Drive, Chesterfield, MO 63017 or you may make them online at https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/431850344

Visitation Monday February 21st, 2:30 PM at BERGER MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 9430 Olive Blvd followed by funeral service at 3:00 PM. MASK REQUIRED.