Ronnie Dean Shaw

Ronnie was a loving husband, father, Papa, son, brother, uncle, and the best friend you’ve ever had. He was born in Wetumpka, Alabama on November 14, 1963 to James and Sarah Shaw. Ronnie met his soulmate and other half, Sandy, in Montgomery in 1984. They were married eight months later in 1985, and had two daughters, Kayla and Kristen.

He began working in the insurance industry at the age of 21 and would eventually open his own agency in 1999. Ronnie earned countless awards and accolades throughout his 38-year career.

He started playing the piano and singing at a very early age and was the proverbial class clown in school. Lucky for those who knew him, this never changed. Ronnie was born to entertain, whether it was playing the piano and singing with his band “The Yard Dogs,” or simply making people laugh.

Ronnie’s love for the Lord and his family was unparalleled, and he was benevolent in every sense of the word. He kept gift cards in his car in case he stumbled upon someone in need. He was recently asked the question, “If you could be famous for one thing, what would you want it to be?” Without skipping a beat, he answered, “For leading others to Christ, whether through illness or recovery or struggling or conquering. That is my goal.”

He first began experiencing symptoms of ALS, a fatal neurodegenerative disease, in June 2021 and was officially diagnosed in April 2022. ALS robbed him of so much. One thing it could never take away was his brilliance, and his love for life and people. Through everything he endured the last 2.5 years of his life, he continued to be the brightest light in a seemingly dark world.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his father, James Franklin Shaw, and his brother, Keith Dewayne Shaw.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 38 years, Sandy; daughters Kayla Wallace (Dustin) and Kristen Budd (Kenny); his mother, Sarah Shaw; his sister, Melinda Gray; and his brother-in-law’s, Robert Speight, Jr. (Jennifer) and Doug Speight. Ronnie will be deeply missed by his six grandchildren, Harper, Hank, Hazel, Hamp, Ella and Kenny III, as well as his many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will gather to remember and celebrate Ronnie’s life at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at St. James Church, 9045 Vaughn Rd, Montgomery, AL 36117. There will be a graveside service immediately following the funeral at Alabama Heritage Funeral Home, 10505 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, AL 36117.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ronnie’s memory to The Goode Foundation (www.goodefoundation.org/donate). You may also mail a check made payable to Goode Foundation to 75 Washington St. #1622, Fairburn, GA 30213.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Leak-MC.com for the Shaw family.