Jay Elmo Shaw

Jay Elmo Shaw

August 27, 1929 – July 26, 2025

Jay Elmo Shaw, born August 27, 1929, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones. He was the beloved son of Marvin Shaw and Carrie Ann Thornton Shaw.

Elmo proudly served his country with the Oklahoma National Guard and was deployed with the 45th Infantry Division during the Korean War. Upon returning home, he married the love of his life, Betty Ruth Goodson of Mill Creek, Oklahoma. Together they shared 72 wonderful years of marriage.

He is preceded in death by his brother, Leon Shaw, and his twin sister, Elaine Gentry. He is survived by two brothers, Marvin Shaw of Norman, Oklahoma, and Howard Shaw of Palm Bay, Florida.

Elmo was a dedicated family man and is survived by his wife Betty, his daughters, Cynthia Ann Wall and her husband Scott, and Sandra McKee and her husband Ron. He was a proud grandfather to four grandchildren: Hayden Wall, Jay Wall, Haley McKee, and Jacob McKee.

Throughout his career, Elmo worked with Oklahoma Tire & Supply Company (OTASCO), serving in Tulsa, Oklahoma; Wichita, Kansas; and Little Rock, Arkansas, eventually retiring as a Regional Manager. After retirement, he and Betty returned to Sulphur, Oklahoma, to care for their mothers, and Elmo continued working in real estate—a profession that allowed him to enjoy his passion for traveling country roads and walking the ranches of Murray County and beyond.

In 2010, Elmo and Betty relocated to Merritt Island, Florida, to be closer to their children and grandchildren and were active with their families. Elmo was a devoted member of the First Baptist Church of Merritt Island and attended Sunday School. During retirement in Florida, Elmo wrote a book of life experiences growing up in rural Arkansas and Oklahoma of which he was very proud.

Jay Elmo Shaw will be laid to rest in a graveside service at Oaklawn Cemetery in Sulphur on Friday, August 1st, at 2:00PM. Pastor Bill Leveridge will officiate the service.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to First Baptist of Merritt Island’s House of Hope Food Ministry. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew him.