Paul Nelson Shaw's Obituary
Paul Nelson Shaw of Dallas, Texas passed away unexpectedly on October 13, 2015 from cardiac arrest at Baylor Hospital. He leaves behind his life partner, Victor Piza. Paul was born the youngest of five children in Tuscaloosa, AL July 27,1959 to Raymond and Sara Shaw. Paul was beloved and doted on by his close-knit family. He was “the funny one” always lifting spirits with his quick wit and laughter. Paul spent his childhood across The South in Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia. From an early age he took to drawing with a keen eye for details. When Paul picked up a crayon to draw a house it showed dimension and scale in it’s surroundings. Trees, shrubbery, flowers, and walkways were accurately depicted as well. As a teenager he took his first job at Wayside Nursery in Pelham, Alabama. There he flourished and set his path to his future career. Paul graduated with a degree in Landscape Architecture from Auburn University. He landed in Dallas after securing a job with Myrick-Newman- Dahlberg. Paul designed for NJB Inc, Huiit-Zollers, and RTKL before starting his own firm, Space Between, with Karen Koerth and Patrick Kennedy. Paul was responsible for planning many lovely gardens, public spaces, and commercial sites across the world including Canada, China, Kuwait, Dubai, Qatar, and East Timor. In The Metroplex he was an integral part of his brother, Robert’s, success in creating the walkable mix-use neighborhoods of Uptown Dallas, Addison Circle, West 7th Ft. Worth, historic downtown Plano, and Legacy Town Center to name a few. Paul loved what he did and although his talents were used more recently in presentations and meetings, he never lost the desire to sit down and “draw” as he called it. He was very close with his extended family helping them through both good and hard times, knowing when to laugh and when to listen. He and Victor spoiled many dogs and cats over the years and his absence will be felt by Bella and Big Boy. Paul will be deeply missed by his husband, Victor Piza, with whom he shared the last 27 years; parents, Raymond and Sara Shaw of Rockford, AL ; sisters, Anne Thorne (husband David) of Trussville, AL, and Janice Shaw of Rockford, AL :brothers, Robert Shaw (wife Elizabeth) of Dallas, TX and Raymond Ivey Shaw of Ft. Worth TX. as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. A memorial service will be held October 18, 2015, 2:00 pm at Pleasant Hill UMC in Rockford, AL. A celebration of his life will be held October 20, 2015, 5:30 pm at Cathedral of Hope in Dallas, TX. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243. Memorials may be made to Cathedral of Hope 5910 Cedar Springs, Dallas, TX 75235 or to your favorite animal rescue charity.
What’s your fondest memory of Paul?
What’s a lesson you learned from Paul?
Share a story where Paul's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Paul you’ll never forget.
How did Paul make you smile?