Duane Edgar Shaw

Duane Edgar Shaw, 72, passed away peacefully on June 15, 2026, surrounded by the tremendous love of his family.

Duane was born on April 13, 1954, to Marian Harmison Shaw and Edgar Shaw in Independence, KS. He was raised in Havana and Cherryvale, KS, and attended Billings Elementary before moving to Oklahoma, where he graduated from Barnsdall High School in 1972.

A gifted athlete, Duane earned a basketball scholarship to Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK, where he played for the Redmen and graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Studies and a minor in Physical Education.

Coaching was more than a career to Duane–it was his calling. Over nearly five decades, he impacted countless young lives while coaching in Guymon, Anadarko, Mannford, Wilson, Kingston, Wynnewood, Mangum, Konawa, Wapanucka, Marietta, and Madill. In 1991, he made his first state tournament appearance and was selected to coach the Oklahoma Coaches’ Association Boys’ All-State Basketball game. His most cherished coaching memory came in 1993 when he led the Wynnewood Savages, including James and Dale Allen, to the state semifinals. In 2000, he was selected to coach the Faith 7 Basketball Bowl All Star Event. In 2006 and 2009, Coach Shaw made two more appearances at the Big House with the Marietta Lady Indians. In 2023, he officially hung up his whistle, but his influence on generations of athletes and students will live on.

Few people knew him as Duane. He was Coach, Dad, Shaw-Dog, or Papa Coach. His transition from the sidelines to sitting in the stands watching his grandkids was one that he treasured. He loved texting during OU games, and if he couldn’t watch it, he’d reply “No updates, recording it.” Duane loved Cross Canadian Ragweed, the Randy Rogers Band, OU football, and coconut cream pie. He loved talking about the price of gas and how much rain we got. He loved to call you just to tell you he was driving down the interstate by your house. He loved life, lived it well, and his family and friends were blessed for every day we had with him.

While basketball was a passion, nothing meant more to Duane than his family. He married Lydia Johnson on October 10, 2010, in Love County, Oklahoma. Together they shared sixteen happy years of marriage and made their home in Madill, Oklahoma. They embraced retirement, doing what retired people do….by enjoying life's simple pleasures, creating lasting memories, and cherishing every day they were blessed to spend together. He was proud to call her his lovely bride to everyone. He was a devoted grandfather, mentor, and friend. He was a man who believed in hard work, keeping your word, helping others, and living life “the cowboy way”- with grit, humility, and unwavering loyalty. Duane never hung up the phone without saying “I love you” to his family. There was not a trip he wouldn’t make to help with a project, or just to spend time with family and friends. He will be deeply missed by all who loved him.

Duane is survived by his wife, Lydia Shaw, of the home; daughter Andrea (Cliff) Chastain of Lexington, OK; son Josh (Karen) Walker of Norman, OK; son Brady Walker (fiancee Crystal) of Tulsa, OK; daughter Lindsay (Brandon) Waggoner of Huntsville, AL; Caleb Johnson, of Madill, OK; Clete Johnson of Durant, OK.

He was a proud grandfather to Raleigh Walker, Zoe Walker, Delaney Walker, Cannon Walker, Ali Armstrong, Gracie Chastain, Case Chastain, Izzy Walker, James Walker, Wyatt Holder, Eli Holder, Beau Holland Waggoner, Stevey Waggoner, Ashlynn Johnson and Cooper Johnson. He was a loving brother to Becky Cole of Moore, OK, and Otis Shaw of Enid, OK, and special longtime friends, Phil Boykin and Phil Ingersoll, along with many extended family members and friends including nieces and nephews, former players, students, and friends who became family throughout the years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Marian Shaw.

Duane’s legacy is not measured by wins and losses, but by the lives he touched, the lessons he taught, and the love he gave. His family finds comfort in knowing that while his whistle has been laid to rest, the echoes of his guidance, strength, and love will continue to be heard for generations to come.

The family would like to thank Dr. Pahuja, Dr. Nomoto, and all the CVICU staff at OU Medical Center. 

“A good coach can change a game. A great coach can change a life.” Duane Shaw did both.

Memorials may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation 2361 Hylan Boulevard Staten Island, NY 10306