Optimistic. Determined. Generous. Kind. Tall and lanky. Lover of dogs and cats. Determined. Humble. Workhorse. Adventurer. Mentor and friend. Globetrotter. Possessor of a milliondollar smile. Did we mention determined?

Born in Indianola, Iowa to Clarke and Alice Shaw, John was the middle of three tall boys in the family. He grew up in Des Moines, played a lot of sports, and ventured all the way to Ames to Iowa State University, where he played basketball and baseball and squeaked by with a degree in architecture.

Four years in the Seabees branch of the U.S.Navy, serving in Vietnam and Japan (1969- 1973), opened John’s eyes to the wide world beyond Iowa. It also piqued his interest in getting things built. He worked for real estate development companies across the west and became known as a fair-minded partner, colleague, and boss. His long career in Denver included positions at Victorio Development, the Denver Tech Center, Opus, and McWhinney. John also used his position in the community to help others. He helped start Osage Initiatives, a project to employ the unhoused; was for many years an involved board member of Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver; and engaged in civic and professional groups in downtown Denver and the southeast corridor.

John is survived by his wife Kay L. (Katy) Shaw; brothers Richard C. Shaw (Mary Ann) of University City, MO and Robert D. Shaw (Rebecca) of Des Moines, IA; daughters Lisa J. Shaw (Joel Bass) and Erin C. Clark (the late Edward R. Clark, Jr.) of Greeley, CO; daughter-in-law Polina Grishina Liske (the late K. Cazimir Liske) of Moscow, Russian Federation; six grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren. John was predeceased by his sister Sandra Jean Shaw (1939-1954).

A memorial service will be held at Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church, 1980 Dahlia Street, Denver, on Tuesday, April 29 at 4:30 pm. Following the service, there will be a celebration of John at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, beginning at 6:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice, or to Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver. The million-dollar smile has winked out, but the legacy of love and kindness endures.