Michael D. Shaw
1962-2021
Michael “Mike” Douglas Shaw, 58, of Fredericksburg, Va., passed away on Sunday, February 7, 2021 at home.
He was born on December 31, 1962 in Berkeley Springs, W.Va., he is the son of Bonnie Shaw Kirch and Terry Kirch of Berkeley Springs and the late Gaylen B. Shaw, Jr.
He attended Berkeley Springs High School. Following high school, he went on to begin his career in Highway Transportation. He has been a truck driver for 40 years. He worked for Mellott Company, Vernon Bohrer and Lightning Transportation where he obtained The Million Mile Award. He was the Owner Operator of C&K Trucking and he worked for Les Luttrell Trucking. He parted this life as the Owner Operator of Slaw Dog Trucking. He was better known as “Cole Slaw” or “Cabbage Head.”
He was a simple man who had no boundaries between his trucker stage show and regular life. He was born with a gift of laughter. He could find humor in the most mundane life circumstances. He had a “unique” taste in just about everything in life, especially his fashion sense and vehicle choices! He was an eclectic. You couldn’t change him. He would find beauty and experience in things that aren’t classically appreciated. He would take his “junk” and make it into the most prized possessions. Despite his giant exterior, his quick-witted remarks and his stubbornness, who was best described as a glossy-eyed barrel-chested freedom-fighter or a “Bad Mamma Jama” there is actual evidence that he was one of the most caring and genuine individuals to have ever walked this planet! He made an impact on everyone he met. He never met a stranger. That evidence is the deep sorrow and pain in our hearts from his unexpected sudden passing.
He is survived by his daughters, Carrie Shaw-Lowe of Williamsport, Md. and Katie Shaw-Smith and her husband Jason of Falling Waters, W.Va.; a son, Jamie Edmonds and his wife Brooke of Capon Bridge, W.Va. and a daughter Casey Edmonds also of Capon Bridge, W.Va.; his best friend, confidante and soul mate Tammara Thompson of Fredericksburg, Va., who spent her days along side of him “trucking” and her children who he loved as his own, Kyle and Amanda Sullivan, also of Fredericksburg, Va.; six grandchildren, Cameron Fox, Carter Smith, Christian Smith, Carrington Smith, Charlotte Smith and Caden Edmonds; brothers Gaylen B. Shaw III (Len), Patrick Shaw, Bradley Shaw and his wife Lisa; along with his many nieces and nephews; as well as his Aunt Debbie, who loved him dearly. He had a soft spot for his dog “Bear,” who he gave hilariously vulgar names to.
Besides his father, he was preceded in death by his Irish Twin and first best friend Jeffery Brian Shaw. They were born 328 days apart and parted this earth 324 days apart; maternal grandfather, Kern McPeak; maternal grandmother, Margaret Fields and her husband, Jim Fields (step grandfather); paternal grandparents, Gaylen (Brownie) Shaw and Evelyn Shaw.
Funeral services were conducted at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 13, 2021 at Helsley-Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 95 Union Street, Berkeley Springs, W.Va., with Mike McKechnie officiating.
The funeral procession was led by a convoy of semi trucks and motorcycles. The convoy detoured from the family shortly before the cemetery. The burial was private and was held at Rehobeth Church Cemetery in Fulton County, Pa.
The family received friends on Friday February 12, 2021 from 2-4 p.m. and from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. A reception was held following the burial at the Moose Lodge in Berkeley Springs.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Michael D. Shaw Fund c/o CNB Bank, Inc. 101 South Washington Street, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.helsley johnsonfh.com.
