John Ellsworth Shaw Jr.

Obituary for John Ellsworth Shaw Jr. John Ellsworth Shaw Jr. was born in Geneva, Illinois on December 6, 1928 to John Ellsworth Shaw Sr. and Virginia Josephine Shaw. He passed away on January 7, 2020 in Carmichael, CA, at the age of 91, following complications from a concussion. John graduated from South Pasadena High School in 1946, and moved to San Luis Obispo to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He continued his education at John Muir College, earning his degree in Industrial Technology in 1950. He soon enlisted in the Army and served in the Operations and Training section at Fort Ord for the next two years. He followed this service with over 25 years of work at Avon Products primarily in Production Control management in their Pasadena, CA plant. He retired from full time work when he made the move from Southern California to move north and be closer to his children, but continued to work for many years in various occupations. Soon thereafter he moved to Beaverton, OR and spent several years there before returning to California for good. John had a passion for trains, railroad history and general train chasing as well as photography. He was able to combine his two favorite hobbies and became well known in the Railroad community as a published photographer, an avid fan, and more times than not, a good friend. His passion for trains and his legacy will live on through his original print work which he donated to the Southern Pacific Historical & Technical Society. A John E. Shaw Jr. library of his work will be created in his honor. John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Virginia Shaw, his sister, Josephine Mills, and his step-son, Jaime Albee. He is survived by his Brother, Bill (Evi) Shaw; his children, Lynn (Mike) DeSa, Shawnee (Richard) Burger, Dana Shaw, Susan (George) DeMartini; and his wife, Ann Shaw; his step children Janet (Lee) Balzer, Mary Albee, Nan Albee, Carol Hammond; his 10 grandchildren, and 2 great- grandchildren. A Celebration of Life in his honor was held on Friday, Jan. 24 th at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, Ca. It was well attended by four generations of family and many long time friends. John will be greatly missed! www.californiarailroad.museum https://sphts.org/