Shaw Byrd Brandon

Shaw Byrd Brandon, 91, breathed his last breath on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, in Claremore, Oklahoma. Shaw was born on July 18, 1931, to George Washington and Biddie Bertha (James) Brandon, in Pierce, Oklahoma. In 1956, he enlisted in the United States Navy. After the Navy, he was a principal of a rural school in Oklahoma, and taught math and science. He earned his Master’s Degree at OSU. Shaw pioneered the flight instruction programs at the Fort Stewart, Georgia, Army Base and later worked as a ground school instructor for TWA in New York. He then flew a cargo plane for Braniff Airlines out of Dallas, Texas. In his later years he drove an 18-wheeler, doing long haul trucking for Burlington Northern until he retired. Shaw was known for his love of reading and was always surrounded by books. He was a devout man who grew up Baptist, but later came to understand more about what the Bible teaches. In 1970, Shaw was called to follow God, by following the teachings of the full gospel from Genesis to Revelation. He observed the Sabbath day and God's Holy Days. As an avid helper of those in need, Shaw would go out of his way to pick up a couple of widows on his way to services. He was a closet philanthropist, often giving cash to help friends with their rent payments or car payments if he knew they were in need. Shaw also gave a gentleman, who was also helping to transport the widows, a large sum of money to help him buy a newer car after the vehicle he owned broke down. In short, he lived a life of love toward God and family, and of quiet service to others that most people never knew.

Shaw is survived by his son, George Roger Brandon of Liberty Lake, WA; daughters, Lee Brandon of Claxton, GA and Shawlene Van Dyke of Paso Robles, CA; sister, Lorene Emerson of Checotah; grandchildren, Nicholas, Elizabeth, David, James, and Jessica; great grandchildren, Ella, Emilia, Callan, Eliana, Miriam, John Justus/aka JJ.