James Thomas Shaw, 64, of Denton, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday, January 20, 2016 as a result of complications from a long battle with emphysema and COPD. He was born July 27, 1951 in San Angelo, TX to James Woodroe Shaw and Dorothy Kay West Shaw. James grew up in Big Spring, Texas and lived in Houston for many years.

Following in his father's footsteps, James served in the U.S. Air Force for two years, mostly stationed in Guam and Abilene, Texas. He was a member of the Church of Christ.

James was blessed with the talent for the building trades. From roofing to electrical to the supervision of building a home, he just about knew it all.

He will probably be best known for his devotion to family. Since James had no children of his own, he followed the lives and activities of his nieces and nephews as if they were his own. Upon the passing of his father, he willingly devoted his life to be the full time caregiver for his mother.

James is survived by his sister Kathy Butler and husband Don of Denton; brother Joey Shaw and wife Corrine of Houston; nieces April Lyons and husband Jordan of Ft. Worth and Chelsea Shaw of Austin; nephews Aaron Shaw and Derek Shaw of Houston; great nieces Gemma and Cecilia Lyons and aunts, an uncle and many cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents, James Woodroe Shaw and Dorothy Kay West Shaw; and grandparents Nora Shaw, James Eggbert Shaw, Clarence King West and Pearl Amonett West .

A memorial service for James will be held at Singing Oaks Church of Christ, 100 Cardinal Drive, Denton, TX 76209 at 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 23, 2016 with visitation following. In lieu of flowers, memorials could be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org).