Freddie Shaw *
February 14, 1946 — September 2, 2024
CW4 Freddie Stanley Shaw was born in Kingstree, S.C. on February 14, 1946, to two loving parents, Freddie McRoy Shaw and Rhodell Virginia Graham Shaw. Freddie’s father was a businessman who owned two farms, a night club, and an auto mechanic shop where he trained Freddie how to fix cars and gifted him a repaired Chevrolet. At 14 Freddie operated it after earning his junior driver’s license. He also learned how to weld from his dad and had been a welding hobbyist well into his senior years. The Shaw nightclub had an extension in the back that doubled as a community outreach center where nuns would come to serve the community.
Freddie had a large extended family of relatives, friends and neighbors who attended Shaw Grade School in Shaw Corner and Tomlinson High School, both located in Kingstree, SC.
Growing up, Freddie learned how to garden, operate farming equipment, and plant and harvest crops. As the firstborn son, he made sure his siblings were to keep only good company, to avoid those with poor character, and to respect and protect women.
Freddie was very gifted in music and the arts. He was an exceptionally gifted, self-taught pianist, bassist, drummer and autoharpist. If he heard it, he could play or sing it. He was a high stepping drum major who did flips and splits as part of his routine. Freddie was so popular as a drum major, he was asked to come back after he graduated from Tomlinson High School to be the drum major for another season. He was an excellent student and role model for many.
Freddie faithfully attended and served in many capacities at St. Ann’s Catholic Church. At eight years old, one of his duties was an altar boy where he held the priest’s Bible until he was 12. He was involved in Catholic Youth Organization (CYO), and they had events where he would tap dance. In 1963, Freddie graduated from Tomlinson High School. To further his education, Freddie moved in with his cousin, Roosevelt, in Philadelphia, PA, and was accepted to Penn State, but shortly after he was drafted as a PFC and his MOS was Food Service.
While Freddie was visiting his sister on Fort Hood, the late Killeen City Counselor Rosa Hereford, she introduced him to the love of his life, Yo Lee Soon. Lee and Rosa were girlfriends and co-workers as waitresses at the NCO Club. In 1968, Freddie and Lee eloped in time for his next assignment to Germany. They enjoyed an active life of couples bowling and opening a martial arts dojo.
At 32, Freddie was awarded Chief Warrant Officer rank at Fort Hamilton, New York and became a Food Service Advisor. He organized a talent show and sang “When Sunny Gets Blue” by Johnny Mathis. Freddie was a supportive husband and supported his wife’s fashion shows, renovated her fashion boutique, and created and delivered wedding cakes for her bridal and floral shop. Freddie also enjoyed playing badminton, basketball, tennis, chess and scrabble with his family. He liked taking the family on road trips as well. Freddie was an excellent carpenter and loved building furniture, homes, cabinets and even bird houses.
While stationed in Taegu, Korea, Freddie dedicated his life to Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, sang songs with his autoharp and played the bass guitar and drums at churches. Freddie also initiated community mountain climbs up Mount Apsan, taught Bible Studies wherever he was stationed, was promoted as Presbyter of all New England States of all branches of the U.S. military, co-founded Pulpit Open Book Seminary of True Hands of Hope International Ministry and became a chaplain for 26 years at Indian Oaks Nursing Home in Harker Heights. Freddie was a true spiritual leader. It was clear that he loved the Lord and loved people. He took the ministry so seriously that he earned his Theology Degree and continued to conduct weekly church services at nursing homes in Harker Heights. He would often help the homeless and the elderly. He had a true servant’s heart. His favorite thing to do was listen to gospel radio, talk radio, gospel quartet and talk about the Bible and politics.
Freddie’s tours were as follows:
Ft. Hood, TX – Basic Training, Vietnam War, Rheinland-Pfalz, Baumholder, Germany, Ft. Hamilton, NY, USAG Yongsan-Casey, S. Korea, Ft. Dix, NJ, Camp Goerge, S. Korea, Ft. Devens, MA, Ft. Hood, TX, Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, Retired in 1995 – 2nd Armored Division “Hell on Wheels” – Ft. Hood, TX
As a nutritionist, Freddie wrote regulations for military kitchens and won medals in yearly US Army baking competitions held in Virginia. He decided to decline the offer to be promoted to the newly created rank of CW5 and retired at nearly 30 years as a career serviceman and worked a little while as a cabinet contractor.
Freddie was preceded in death by parents Freddie and Rhodell Shaw; siblings Glenda Shaw, Regginald Shaw and Rosa (James) Hereford; and stepson Fennell Preddy, Jr.
Freddie is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Yo Lee Soon Shaw; daughters Sylvia Ireland, Priscilla (Darren) Rahn, Judy (George III) Draper, Josephine Preddy, Katherina Preddy; grandchildren Adrian (Angelo) Carpenter, David Knowles, Fennell, III (Alyshia) Preddy, Chelsea Draper, Jonathan Knowles, Jordan Knowles, Ashley Louden, Alexander Louden; great-granddaughter, Clarity Preddy; siblings Barbara McCaskill, Dennis Wayne Shaw; nieces Kunja, Lisa (Patrick) Shockey, Christal Banks; nephews Arnrai (Glenda) Banks, Rocky (Cinderella) Shaw, Remington Shaw; aunts Mayme and Vira; and numerous cousins.