Obituary

Elton "Coach" Shaw

May 21, 1933 - October 12, 2024

It is with deep sadness that we share with you the passing of an extraordinary man - Elton A. Shaw. There are no words strong enough to describe the impact that his life has left on this world. It is fact that all people will die, but the truth is, not all will live. As for Elton "Coach" Shaw and the 91 years he spent on this Earth - he LIVED! 

He was born to loving parents, Henry and Hazel Shaw, in Kentwood, Louisiana on May 21,1933. Elton Shaw began to make his mark on this world at an early age. He was the youngest of seven siblings. His great talent and passion for sports was undeniable. He graduated from Kentwood High School in May of 1951 with All State honors. He was the only player in the history of Kentwood High School to be selected All-State for three consecutive years. While attending Kentwood High he served as class president and received the Superintendent's Award as Outstanding Parish Athlete - the only time in Tangipahoa Parish history that this award was presented. 

After high school Elton continued his education at LSU on a football scholarship where he was selected to the All-Southeastern Conference Team. In 1953, Elton joined the US Army and served his country in Korea. After just 18 months, he rose to the prodigious rank of Sergeant First Class at the young age of 21. In 1955 he returned to SLU to continue his education. While at SLU, he played football and was soon drafted to none other than the Green Bay Packers. 

Elton turned his love for football and people into a career, accepting his first professional position as Assistant Football coach and History teacher at Assumption High. After one short year, at the young age of 25, Elton was appointed head football coach of the High School football team. Throughout his coaching career he served as Napoleonville Head Coach, Ponchatoula High Head Coach, Head Coach and Principal of Valley Forge, SLU Defensive Coordinator, Head Coach and Athletic Director of Kentwood High and Jewel Sumner High School. Coach made Louisiana history by winning more than 200 games, 11 district championships and two state championships as a football coach. 

In August of 1953, Elton married the love of his life, Jewell Fowler of Kentwood. They built a beautiful life throughout their 53 years of marriage. Together they brought four sports loving sons into the world, Ronald (Donna), Thomas (Kim), Lance and Mark.

One Hall of Fame worthy career just wasn't enough for Coach. His dedication to the community continued when he joined the Juvenile Program for the District Attorney's office handling every juvenile case in the 21st Judicial District for 31 years. Elton served as a mentor and changed the lives of so many youth and adults alike. His tall stature, polished dress and strong handshake made a lasting impact on each and every person he came into contact with. He was truly, one of a kind. 

Eventually, Elton exchanged his hat as "coach" for his favorite one as - Poppy. If you knew Elton, you knew his family was his number one team. He had 10 grandchildren that his world revolved around - Amy, Russell, Gavin, Chance, Matt, Christopher, Cody, Travis, Morgan and Adam. The grands eventually went on to make him into a great! The next generation of 14 beautiful "great" grandchildren brought so much joy into his life, Alex McLaughlin, Mickey, Katelyn, Joseph, Avery, Ruby, Thomas, Sophie, Ashton, Benji, Katherine, Junior, Kennedy Shaw and Adrian Hart. 

Although his earthly journey has come to an end, because of his love for Jesus, we know his heavenly life has just begun. Our hearts will forever selfishly ache for not being able to pick up the phone and hear his voice just one more time or meet him at the cafe for just one more cup of coffee - but until we can meet again, keep Coach's legacy alive through service, generosity and love. 

Elton was preceded in death by his loving wife, Jewell, two sons Lance and Tommy, parents Henry and Hazel, five sisters, Kathryn Kuss, Lucille Brown, Doris Yarborough, Darence (Libby) and Mavis Shaw and brother, Herbert "Cush" Shaw. 

Please join us to celebrate the extraordinary life of Elton Shaw on Friday, October 18th for visitation from 5:30pm until 9:00pm at First Baptist Church of Kentwood and Saturday, October 19th from 9:00am until religious services at 11:00am. Interment will follow at Woodland Cemetery in Kentwood. Reception following at FBC Kentwood. Pallbearers will be Russell Shaw, Christopher Shaw, Gavin Shaw, Cody Shaw, Matthew Shaw, Travis Shaw, Morgan Shaw, and Alex McLaughlin. Honorary pallbearers will be Joseph Shaw, Thomas Shaw, Ashton Shaw and Junior Shaw. 

McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements.