He has been described as a man deeply devoted to his faith in God, his family, his friends, and the people of South Georgia.
Jay Shaw understood South Georgia and was deeply committed to helping people. A successful businessman, he founded The Jay Shaw Company, an independent insurance agency. He also served on various boards, including Farmers and Merchants Bank.
As a young man, Shaw began his political career as the mayor of Lakeland, his hometown and the community where he and his wife, Libby, raised their two sons, Jason and Sam.
In 1993, Shaw was elected to the House of Representative and served for 17 years before being elected to the State Transportation Board in 2010, where he served until his death April 20, 2015.
The State Transportation Board recently honored its former board member with the official dedication of the James Slaton “Jay” Shaw Memorial Highway, which includes a portion of U.S. Highway 22/State Route 31 that connects Lowndes and Lanier counties.
Tim Golden, former state senator and representative for 24 years, said it was a privilege to work with Shaw in the General Assembly.
“Jay loved helping people and communities in South Georgia,” Golden said. “He brought so many different talents to the table that I don’t think people fully understood or appreciated. The best way I can describe Jay is to say ‘his currency was in people.’ He was a true public servant.”
Golden, who was elected to fill Shaw’s seat on the State Transportation Board, said he considers it an honor to continue the work his friend and colleague started.
“I want to fulfill Jay’s legacy, and part of that is finishing the U.S. 84 four-lane project that runs from Homerville to Waycross,” Golden said. “This was important to Jay because he understood the economic impact this road has in transporting products across South Georgia, but also the safety factor for people traveling on this road daily.”
Golden said he vividly remembers the first project he and Shaw worked on more than 35 years ago.
“Jay came to Washington to get federal assistance to preserve Banks Lake,” said Golden, who at the time was a legislative aide for U.S. Representative Charles Hatcher. “He was mayor of Lakeland and knew that Banks Lake had environmental importance to Lanier County, really all of South Georgia. He wanted to preserve it for future generations.”
Banks Lake was established as a National Wildlife Refuge in 1985 and provides 4,000 acres of freshwater wetland containing open water, marsh, hardwood swamp, and uplands. Hundreds of visitors benefit from the public access of one of South Georgia’s premier fishing locations and wildlife observation points.
After Shaw was elected to the House of Representative, one of his first priorities involved ending long distance calls within counties, Golden recalled.
“Jay fought for this and went up against some opposition,” Golden said. “Back in the early 1990s, you could live in the same county and still have to pay long distance charges. This was an important issue to people and businesses in rural South Georgia, so it was important to Jay.”
Shaw was an advocate for the state’s healthcare system, especially as it related to services and access in rural Georgia, and improving the state’s transportation system. While in the House of Representatives, Shaw served on several powerful committees, including Appropriations, Banks and Banking, Regulated Industries, and Rules.
Golden said he considered Jay Shaw one of his closest friends and will always remain close to his family.
“Libby Shaw is a saint and the sweetest woman. I have known her for many years; I remember as a young boy when she worked for my dad at the health department,” Golden recalled. “I have known Jason and Sam since they were little boys. Jason is a lot like his father. He has the courage of his convictions and cares passionately about South Georgia. Sam has his father’s keen business sense. He is one of the most likable and approachable people I know.”
The Legacy Continues
In 2010, while Jay Shaw transitioned to representing the eighth congressional district on the State Transportation Board, his son, Jason, began his political career as State Representative for District 176, the same seat his father held.
“Public service was a higher calling for my dad, and it didn’t matter who you were or where you were from or even if you had voted for him,” said Jason Shaw. “If you called him and you needed help, he was going to try his best to help you.”
Having the Shaw name has helped Jason become acclimated to political life, and his father’s example and advice still guide him personally and politically.
“It has helped me to have his good name to follow,” Jason Shaw said. “Everyone liked dad. He was the kind of guy people really respected.”
Jason said the best piece of political advice he received from his father was to always look after the people in his district.
“He told me never to forget who sent me to Atlanta,” said Jason Shaw. “I try to remember that every day, and every time I make a decision I think about how it will impact the people in my district.”
A strong work ethic and the desire to help others was something Jay Shaw instilled in both of his sons.
“Dad always wanted us to treat people the way we wanted to be treated,” said Sam Shaw, who serves as city president for Farmers and Merchants Bank in Homerville. “I have always remembered my dad being in public service, either as mayor of Lakeland, a state representative or on the transportation board. He always wanted to take care of people.”
Sam recalled his father’s passion for healthcare, especially at small hospitals.
“He told me that rural hospitals are hard to keep going but that he was going to do all he could to help,” Sam Shaw said. “He was concerned about healthcare and the employees. He wanted to provide jobs close to home so that they could work in the communities where they lived and go home at the end of the day and attend their kids’ ballgames or school events.”
Not only did Jay Shaw work tirelessly advocating for the needs of South Georgia, but he also served as a mentor to other legislators, including Representative Amy Carter.
Carter said it was while student teaching in Lanier County that she first met the Shaw family.
“I had the kindest and most self-assured young man in my class named Sam Shaw,” Carter said. “At that time I knew of Jay Shaw, as he was in partnership with my dad and others in a hunting facility. As I was completing my teaching experience, Jay announced he was going to seek the elected office of State Representative, District 176.”
Carter had volunteered in a few local campaigns earlier, so she offered her support to Jay Shaw.
“Twelve years later, my opportunity to run for office presented itself with the retirement of Representative Ron Borders,” Carter said. “Jay showed me every step of the way ‘under the Gold Dome.’ He taught me to listen more than I speak, especially in my early years. He taught me that South Georgia is the highest priority, and we should work together as a group to get things done in the state capitol.”
A great portrait of a fine gentleman.