Dr. Conrad Shaw

Dr. Conrad Aldean Shaw, Sr. age 94, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday August 31, 2019.  He was born on November 30, 1924 in Alleghany County.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin H. and Recie McKnight Shaw, and his brother, Dwight M. Shaw.  He is survived by his wonderful wife of 73 years, Elizabeth (Lib), who he met at Appalachian State University and married on December 21, 1945; son, Conal, and Annette Shaw of Roanoke, VA; daughter, Cathy, and Steve Snipes of North Wilkesboro, NC; granddaughter, Catherine, and Mac Marlow of Roanoke, VA; grandson, Jonathan, and Stacie Shaw of Richmond, VA; granddaughter, Laura, and David Brooks of Wilkesboro, NC; granddaughter, Rachel, and Eric Sutphin of Concord, NC; great grandson, Nathaniel Marlow of Roanoke, VA; great granddaughter, Olivia Marlow of Roanoke, VA; great granddaughter, Caroline Shaw of Richmond, VA; great grandsons, Connor and Corbin Brooks of Wilkesboro, NC; foster great grandbaby, Isabella; a sister, Wynnogene Day of Savannah, GA; a brother, Kyle, and Barbara Shaw of Houston, TX.

Dr. Shaw was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, having served three years, two of which were in the South Pacific (New Calidonia, Gudalcanal, and Okinawa).

Dr. Shaw and his wife, Elizabeth, and son, Conal, moved to North Wilkesboro in August 1948 to teach business subjects at North Wilkesboro High School.  After four years in that position, Dr. Shaw became principal of North Wilkesboro Elementary School (grades 1 - 8) in 1952 as North Wilkesboro and Wilkesboro High Schools merged into Wilkes Central High School.  He served as principal for 14 years.

When Wilkes Community College opened its doors for multi classes on July 1, 1966 in the Wilkesboro Primary School Building, the President, Dr. Howard Thompson invited him to join him in the position of Business Officer for the college.  The responsibilities consisted of accounting and budgeting of finances, and plant and grounds management.  The new college facilities consisting of three buildings were completed in April 1970.  Dr. Shaw oversaw growth of the college.  It went from zero to eight buildings, 2200 students, and 90 acres of land.

In 1972, Dr. Shaw and four other Community College Business Officers and the State Community Director of Finance were the founding officers of the Association of Community College Business Officers, ACCBO.  The ACCBO meetings throughout the state enabled the officers to learn more as the new North Carolina Community College System progressed.  Dr. Shaw served as president of ACCBO in 1974-75.

Dr. Shaw’s educational career spanned 47 years, all of which were in Wilkes County.  He earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts from Appalachian State University, and a Doctor of Education from Nova University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.  He also took courses at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and Florida State.  In 1994, Dr. Shaw was chosen as the Outstanding College Business Officer of Region XI, which included North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Virginia.

Other life contributions included service at First Baptist Church of North Wilkesboro as Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, President of the Men’s Brotherhood, Director of the Baptist Training Union (BTU), Deacon beginning in 1952, Chairman of the Board of Deacons several times, Chairman of the Building Renovation Committee for the educational building, and was named Deacon Emeritus in 2017.  He loved the church and loved serving the Lord.

The North Wilkesboro Lions Club was Dr. Shaw’s civic love, having almost 100% attendance since 1952.  He served in a number of positions including the office of president in 1973-74 and 2000-2001.  He was named the Rotary Club’s Citizen of the Year in March of 2019.  His hobbies included collecting antique radios, and he and Mrs. Shaw were members in the western square dance club, the Tory Oak Twirlers for 31 years. He enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and to many other countries with friends since his retirement from the college in 1995.

The family will receive friends from 6 - 8 pm on Sunday, September 1, 2019 at Reins Sturdivant Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, September 2, 2019 in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church of North Wilkesboro, with Dr. Bert Young and Rev. Steve Snipes officiating.  A private burial will be held at Scenic Memorial Gardens.

The family respectfully requests no food or flowers. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of North Wilkesboro PO Box 458 North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 and Samaritan Kitchen of Wilkes PO Box 1072 Wilkesboro, NC 28697.

Online condolences may be made at www.reinssturdivant.com

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