Dalton—Flooring industry luminary Julius Clarence “Bud” Shaw, who co-founded Shaw Industries with his brother, Bob, died Jan. 16. He was 85.
Shaw, who earned a B.S. in textile engineering from Georgia Tech, joined Marion Manufacturing Company in 1958 as general manager of Rocky Creek Mills, the carpet yarn division of Marion. In 1959, Rocky Creek Mills and Star Dye Company (a family-owned business) formed Star Finishing, where he served as a director. J.P. Stevens purchased Rocky Creek Mills in 1964, and Shaw became general manager of the automotive division. In 1965, he moved to Cartersville with Dan River Carpets as general manager.
In 1968, Shaw founded Sabre Carpets and merged the interests of Star Finishing and Sabre/Philadelphia into Shaw Industries, where he served as chairman until 1996, when he retired to chairman emeritus. Shaw Industries has grown to become the world’s largest carpet manufacturing company.
Vance Bell, chairman and CEO of Shaw Industries, called Bud Shaw a “visionary,” adding, “He was one of the smartest and most insightful men I have ever known. He was successful in every endeavor he undertook, with extraordinary contributions far beyond Shaw Industries and the carpet industry. We will greatly miss his friendship, support and counsel.”
Randy Merritt, president of Shaw Industries, also praised Shaw. “He was a large part of the history and success of our company and was an adviser, supporter and friend throughout the years, even in retirement, and up until the day he passed away.”
Shaw was the recipient of Georgia Tech’s Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award in 1994 and Georgia Tech Athletic Association’s Total Person Award in 1995. He was also awarded membership into Georgia Tech’s Engineering Hall of Fame in 1997.
He is a past board member and chairman of the Carpet and Rug Institute, Georgia Tech Foundation, Georgia Tech National Advisory Board, Georgia Tech Research Corp., Emory-Georgia Tech Biomedical Technology Research Center, Kennesaw State College, Rabun-Gap Nacoochee School, Bartow County Bank, First National Bank of Cobb County, Georgia State Chamber of Commerce, Post Properties, Georgia Heart Association, Columbia Theological Seminary Board of Trustees and Council of Fellows. He also served as an elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Cartersville for many years.
Shaw is survived by his wife, Margaretta Lumpkin Shaw; two sons, Julius Clarence Shaw Jr. and Robert Lee Shaw; two daughters, Lyda Shaw White and Rebecca Shaw Shepherd; 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Bob Shaw, and sister, Eleanor Shaw McCamy. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First Presbyterian Church, 183 W. Main St., Cartersville, Ga., 30120.