Merle Dean Shaw
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Merle Dean Shaw, age 78, of Tecumseh, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, October 30, 2016 in Oklahoma City.
He was born August 5, 1938 to Earnest Dean and Marie (Lynch) Shaw in Oklahoma City.
Merle graduated from Central High School in 1957.
He proudly served in the Air National Guard for 4 years.
Merle married the love of his life, Melba Jean Money, on January 23, 1959. Three children were born from this union.
After high school he worked as an apprentice technician. He worked for Corkens Pump for 5 years. He went to work for Tinker in 1968, retiring in 1993 after 25 years.
Merle was a member of Sharon Baptist Church and a proud member of the Choctaw Nation.
His favorite thing to do was spend time with his family. He also enjoyed getting the bulletins ready for Sunday church services. He was a skilled artist, drawing caricatures, cartoons, and landscapes. He also enjoyed playing the steel guitar.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Merle is survived by his wife, Melba Jean, of the home; son Gregory Dean Shaw of Tecumseh; 2 daughters and sons-in-law, Lisa Renea and Don Essary and Sherri Lynn and Joseph Bowers, all of Tecumseh; 2 grandchildren, Emily Morgan Essary and Andrew Dean Essary; numerous cousins; and many other family and friends.
Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 2, 2016, with the family gathering to meet with friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Cooper Funeral Home. Service will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, November 3, 2016 at Sharon Baptist Church with Reverend Clint Dawkins officiating under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.