C. Raymond Shaw Jr., 63, formerly of Fredericksburg, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2007, at his home in Mathews.
He was the senior director of Engineering Program Development for General Dynamics Land Systems. Spanning a career in defense of over 38 years, Mr. Shaw served 23 years in the U.S. Army as a field artillery officer to include combat service in Vietnam.
After retiring as a colonel, Mr. Shaw transitioned into a successful career in the defense industry. For nearly two decades, he led technology programs designed to deliver new capabilities for U.S. soldiers and Marines. Mr. Shaw's influence and expertise enabled him to expand business opportunities in emerging international markets. His passion and vision for developing systems that would shape future combat vehicles was an invaluable part of General Dynamic's success.
Mr. Shaw was a recognized visionary in identifying ground- breaking technology and evolving it to reality for the soldier. His legacy is a broad spectrum of programs from the U.S. Army's Stryker Mobile Gun System, a revolutionary advanced hybrid electric drive family of vehicles and advanced artillery systems.
His many contributions were highlighted in 2001 when he was recognized by the National Defense Industrial Association with the Firepower Management Award. Beyond his many career successes, he will be most remembered for his strong leadership, keen wit, friendship and sincere generosity.
Raymond and his wife of 20 years recently made their permanent residence in Mathews, where he was awaiting his second retirement so he could continue his love and enjoyment of the Chesapeake Bay and all it has to offer. He greatly enjoyed and embraced the rural lifestyle and the immediate community acceptance offered at Mathews.
He was the son of the late Edith Galloway Shaw. He is survived by his wife, Doris Whittaker Shaw; a son, David Raymond Shaw and his wife, Ame, of North Bend, Wash.; a daughter, Kelley Renee Shaw of Carrboro, N.C.; his father, C. Raymond Shaw Sr. of Neptune Beach, Fla.; aunts, Emma Galloway Coley of Richmond and Ellen Shaw Schrock of Lynchburg; sisters, Jane Glass and her husband, Daryl, of Jacksonville Beach, Fla., Susan Rhyne and her husband, Jim, of Charlotte, N.C., Sarah Biggs and her husband, Roy, of Pinehurst, N.C., Mary Ann Bisher and her husband, Mark, of Atlantic Beach, Fla., Martha Bass of Jacksonville, Fla., Edith Harwell and her husband, David, of Jacksonville Beach; a brother, Wyndham Shaw and his wife, Jeanie, of Burlington, Mass.; and 17 nieces and nephews.
The family received friends at Foster-Faulkner Funeral Home, Mathews, Friday, Jan. 5, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
A funeral will be held Saturday, Jan. 6, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow in H.C. Smither Memorial Cemetery, Hudgins.
Following the graveside service, the staff of Sandpiper Reef Restaurant will host a reception at the Sandpiper Reef Restaurant, Hallieford.
Memorial donations may be made in his honor to Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad, Box 723, Mathews, Va. 23109.