Lewis William Shaw II

Lewis W. Shaw, II, Founder and Chairman of Jackson Shaw, died on March 5, 2025, with his family at his bedside. A highly honored business leader, entrepreneur, patriot, and mentor, he was a man of large personality and varied interests. He was not your average real estate man. Deep down, Lewis was a teacher and often quoted “When one teaches, two learn.”

After graduating from Wittenberg University, Springfield, Ohio, in 1966 with a BA in Liberal Arts, he spent seven years in the U. S. Air Force. His experience as an instructor in T-38's fueled his lifelong passion for planes and aviation. He flew aerobatic contests on the side in what he referred to as "a little junky airplane - my car cost $75 but the plane was a little more expensive".

Joining IBM in Dallas he took a 90-day sales training course and entered the typewriter sales world. However, in his short IBM career he soon met Janet Spencer, the love of his life, and sold her a Correcting Selectric. He also met a lot of real estate people. Among them was Jim Jackson who shared his interest in planes. Jackson recognized Lewis’s entrepreneurial skills and his nose for business.

In 1974, Lewis joined J. C. Jackson Company as a construction manager and leasing agent. Following the death of Mr. Jackson, he purchased the company, growing the operations from a small local contractor and brokerage operation to build-to-suit and speculative developments on a national level. Jackson Shaw has been responsible for the construction or development of over 63 million square feet of commercial space representing a value of more than $2.5 billion. The core business activity remains centered on urban industrial and hospitality development. Lewis found that he made a good decision on Dallas, it was a city of entrepreneurs and opportunities.

Lewis and Janet celebrated a loving marriage of 46 years at his death. Together, they have traveled the world on planes, trains, ships, and motorcycles and built beautiful homes in Colorado in their Wilder on the Taylor project in the Gunnison/Crested Butte area. Preserving, protecting and perpetuating the western ranching heritage was important to Lewis. He had a strong interest in beautiful and innovative architecture and graduated from the Harvard Graduate School of Design.

Lewis also co-founded American General Hospitality, Inc. in 1980. The company was formed as a REIT (AGH) in 1996, later merging with Meristar REIT (MHX) and Interstate Hotels and Resorts (IHR). Mr. Shaw has continued hospitality activities with recent hotel developments and investments in Las Vegas, Fort Worth and Phoenix. Shaw was inducted into the North Texas Commercial Area Realtors (NCTAR) Hall of Fame in 2003. He served on the Wittenberg University Board of Directors and was active in numerous local civic and national organizations. He was a member of Brook Hollow Golf Club.

Lewis continued his love of aviation. He enthusiastically taught many to fly over the years. He flew airshows and competition aerobatics. Amassed an airplane collection including an Acrostar, P51, Midget Mustang, Pinto Jets, Soko Galabs, an Extra, a Waco bi-plane and a Husky on Floats. He was a member of the EAA and was a QB and a friend of the Red Bull Aerobatic Team.

Lewis is predeceased by his mother, Evelyn Ott Shaw, father, Lewis W. Shaw, and brother, Craig Shaw. He is survived by his beloved wife, Janet Spencer Shaw, his in-laws Nelson and Brenda Spencer, nieces Priscilla Spencer and Melissa Spencer and fiancé Jim Munroe, and current CEO of Jackson Shaw, Michele Wheeler and husband Jeff.

His family will hold a memorial service on Saturday, April 5th at 2:00 p.m. at Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, gifts of condolences may be expressed in donations to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Dallas and Greater Tarrant County.

Lewis' service will be live streamed for those who would like to virtually attend.