Clifford Shaw
February 17, 1943 - October 16, 2019
Obituary
Clifford Dean Shaw was born February 17, 1943 in Fairfield, NE to Wesley and Velma Hoyt Shaw. Cliff grew up working on the family farm and attended East Buffalo Elementary, Clay Center High School. In 1964 he earned his Bachelor of Sacred Literature from MSE, and his Master of Divinity 1982 California School of Theology. In 1964 he married the love of his life, Judy Losh. He also began his first ministry in Modale, IA, while working on his wife Judy's family farm. Then in 1965, his ministry took him to Port Neches, Tx. Clifford was there until he became associate and youth pastor at First Church in Lake Charles, LA. He served there until 1970, when he moved to Moss Bluff, LA where he helped start and serve as Pastor of Christ Church in Moss Bluff. LA, as well as founding Moss Bluff Christian Academy. He served there until 1984 when he was called to Scottsbluff, NE and served as Public Relations and Student Recruitment with an emphasis in missions at Platte Valley Bible College in Scottsbluff, NE. During this time, he served on the Planning Committee for the North American Christian Convention from 1984-1986. In 1990 he moved to Littleton, CO where he continued his ministry until 2000 when he moved to Billings MT, where he was a Senior Pastor at Valley Christian Church and became a Chaplain for the Billings Police Department and worked with the pre-release program at the woman's prison. He retired in 2017, although he continued his work as Chaplain and minister at the prison. In his passion for Ministry he organized and led more than 50 short term mission trips to many locations throughout Central and South America as well as several in the Caribbean, and even as far away as Malaysia. One thing that defined Clifford was his love of building & working with his hands. One of the projects he was most proud of was his Golden House. His goal was to create & build an extremely energy efficient home. This resulted in an all concrete, underground home built into the side of a mountain, heated exclusively & largely lit by the sun. He was proud that it was featured in “Parade of Homes” in Colorado. Clifford served as a fill in pastor in wherever he was, stateside or out of country. He has also served in local prisons in several states and worked with Passages, the women's pre-release program in Billings. He was a well-recognized member of the Billings Police Chaplains. Church denominations didn't keep Cliff from having a heart of unity. He would meet with other local pastors monthly to join in prayer. His entire life was ministry and a heart for others, this was to the point his ministry was so extensive there's no way to specify each person and place he influenced, which is everywhere he stepped. What a legacy he leaves behind. We know he's laughing and has a pocket full of peanuts and the other full of clothespins to carry on with his mischief in Heaven. Cliff is preceded in death by his parents Wesley and Velma. He is survived by his wife Judith L. Losh Shaw his children and grandchildren; David Shaw and Cathi Aughenbaugh, Suzanne Shaw, Priscilla and Ron Scadden, Audrey, Ethan, Isabel and Josiah, Lydia Stark, Keidre and Denson Ligon, Grant Shaw and Harmony Stark, Jonathan and Lyndi Shaw, Sophia and Titus; Brothers, Senator Wayne Shaw (OK), Dr Eldon Shaw. Memorial Services will be held Sunday October 20, 6:00 pm at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 328 Shiloh Road. In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting the church missionaries that will be mentioned during the service.
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Memories
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Michael Boyd
Other •
So many memories ❤We enjoyed talking Nebraska Football While cooking up Biscuits and Gravy for our Men's Prayer Breakfast at Valley Christian Church. The biggest Blessing for me though was his being a loving mentor for me through a tough time in my life. He was always there to listen. He was a humble and loving servant for Jesus. See you soon one day in Glory Pastor Cliff❤🙂
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Dawn Stevens
Other •
Clifford taught us how to tithe and beyond. I remember his faith that if we at Chatfield Christian Church would faith promise enough to pay him then he would come serve us. Imagine coming when a faith promise was just a promise, no real money. But i learned through that how faithful God could be if you made such a promise. I started giving faithfully during that time and have never been lacking for anything from the Lord since. Clifford taught me the joy of generosity.
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Suzi Shaw
Other •
I always remember my Dad on the go. He was loving but also stern. No matter what he was doing, he would put it on hold, in order to help someone else out or simply listen. I remember ever since I was in diapers, and it was family trip time, after his BIG brown paper bag of popcorn and always his peanuts were packed, we would all pack in and take off. I would ALWAYS sit up front with Dad so he wouldn’t fall asleep as I don’t sleep while traveling. He may have never been around a lot for me, but you know something? No matter what, we had our one on one moments of listening to Paul Harvey and I would laugh after he always said “And that’s the story.” I remember most of all that he would say,”Suzanne(Suzi now), I just got a phone call and have to go to the hospital. He KNEW I was right behind him. At the hospital, I would ALWAYS make my first stop the preemie ward for babies and I would say a silent prayer for that precious baby and the family. Then I would, bear with me as I tear up as cancer is what took my dad, always go to the hospice unit and simply pray for all of them. I remember I wasn’t to good in some subjects in school and no MATTER my grade on my report card, which most of you heard him say this ALOT, I would get a D and dad would always say,”THAT’S GREAT!” That’s great? I was always taken back by that and didn’t know why he was so proud of my grades. I asked him one day why and he told me this..”We now know the problem and to every problem there is a great outcome.” Everytime at report card time it was his and my time to get ice cream and play putt putt golf. I still never could grasp it. One day when on my 12th birthday he had a huge envelope out and with getting very quite, handed it to me. It was my adoption papers. It took me many many years of Dad and I butting heads but I think I know why. See, when it comes to your own kid, sometimes that’s the hardest on giving advice or just coming out and saying it. In dads round a bout way he, I believe, was telling me this...”No matter what happens in life, what’s thrown at you in life, keep laughing and keep that spark in your eye. You’re very strong and have a big heart but NEVER let anyone run over you. Never give up, always fight, strive and keep climbing that hill, no matter how many struggles or baby steps it takes.” One of his last talks with me at the family reunion was, “Suzi, you have struggled all your life, but know I’m still proud of you and I love you. I’m know it hurts with placing Amanda for adoption, but remember you were adopted and loved too. I know your biological mom drank with you and everyday I thank you for NOT going down that road or drinking with Keidre. I’m sorry for any friction I’ve caused you and I ask your forgiveness. He then proceeded to read a letter that he wrote, on how he felt about me. Through tears and pain all I really heard was, “ If Keidre’s Dad would’ve never abused you and now your head mixed up with thinking that’s what was ok for you, which now you know isn’t, I know in my heart, you wanted to go to college and do the same things Keidre does now. I see you in Keidre everyday and I hope that you promise me that you will continue to grow, refind the RIGHT path that in your heart as I have showed and tried to teach you, and God speaking to you, that you please overcome any and all burdens in your life. I know this is going to affect you the most when I’m gone but please keep your stubborn strong ways, find some way to bring back that laugh we all enjoyed, your cutting up to make others laugh, your strong heart, refind the spark in your eyes and re light that torch. You, Suzi, have ALWAYS reminded me of this, You’re like a pearl still forming in your shell and over the years, I have watched you grow, strengthen and now become a string of pearls and I love you for everything you have done and still want to accomplish in life.” With that said, as I was crying even harder by now, he quietly reached into a bag and handed me a tiny box and said, “Please take these pearl earrings and always hold on to them, dear to your heart as they one day will be a part of me for you to remember. And here’s granny’s notebook for you to read then please pass it to your Uncle Eldon.” Through crying so hard and thinking I was just another outcast, I could even barely get out, “Dad, I forgive you, and I’m sorry too. As long as mom is way well taken care of, then please know you can go in peace dad. And I love you.” It’s very hard as I miss Dad but the final thing I will share is this about what my Dad told me one day in my teens and it was this, “No matter what happens in life and bad happens Suzi, calm down, pray, clear your head and I PROMISE you that you will find 3 positives to that one negative.” To this day I always seem to calm someone else down through my life, several people and they always end up finding three positives. The three positives now? One...Dad is now with granny and gramps probably still making granny chase him with what was an unbreakable brush but on his hind end it broke, lol. Two...He is now pain and cancer free. 3...He was slowly instilling God unto everyone he came across in life, that now he has such a HUGE legacy and many lit torches and many shoes for us to fill now and take and share and spread what he has instilled in all of us. Yes, that’s my DAD!!! I miss you Dad and I love and thank you for all you have instilled in me in your quiet ways.
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Renee'
Other •
Clifford was a good friend ,pastor who took the time to stopped by or call me to chat often. Clifford has given some good advice & a verse so that I would understand what he's saying. I will surely miss him.....
JD
Janice Day
Other •
Clifford Shaw was a neighbor to my brother in Billings. He presided at my brother's funeral and did such a good job. Seemed like a caring man. Prayers of comfort for his family.
MM
Melissa Melby
Other •
I'm sorry to hear of Pastor Clifford's passing. He was kind, caring, and always fun to talk to, and I enjoyed his visits to our office. While family and friends mourn, he is rejoicing in his heavenly home!