Chris Shaw

Chris H. Shaw
August 21, 1955 – August 27, 2026
Chris H. Shaw, 71, passed away unexpectedly in his home on August 27, 2026, in West Jordan, Utah. He was born on August 21, 1955, in Salina, Utah, to Vern Shaw and Elody Harward. Chris was the youngest of four children and was preceded in death by his parents, and is survived by his siblings, Beverly Iverson, Dave Shaw, and Jean Larsen.

On June 24, 1977, Chris married the love of his life and his eternal companion, Pamala Hirschi. Together they recently celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary. Their marriage was the foundation of a beautiful family and a life filled with love, laughter, service, and countless memories. Chris and Pam built their home in Kearns, Utah, where they raised their three children: Ryan (Dhyani), Lindsay Jaynes (Russell), and Jaimee Keys. Chris was a devoted father and an especially proud grandfather to his eight grandchildren: Makayla, Oliver, Adelaide, William, Llewyn, Isabella, Saela, and Vida.

Family was the center of Chris's life. He never missed a family event and was always there when someone needed him. He worked hard, often taking extra jobs or working extra hours to make sure his family had what they needed. He showed his love not through grand gestures, but through a lifetime of sacrifice, dependability, and always being there for those that needed it.

Chris spent his career as a facilities manager for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he worked tirelessly to care for and maintain numerous buildings in Magna, Kearns, and Stansbury. He was exceptionally skilled and could fix almost anything, with expertise in HVAC, electrical work, plumbing, and general maintenance. More importantly, he never kept those skills to himself. When someone needed help with a furnace, air conditioner, plumbing problem, or other household issue, Chris was the person that would take the call and show up. He quietly served his fellow man throughout his entire life, helping others without expecting anything in return.

Service was a defining part of Chris's life. He served an honorable LDS mission in Columbus, Ohio, and continued his service throughout his life in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as bishop of the Kearns 4th Ward, high counselor, elders quorum president, advisor, and young adult teacher, among many other callings. He loved the people he served and found joy in service.
Chris made lifelong friendships wherever he went. He treasured the friendships he and Pam made with their neighbors on Kinsmen Circle, members of the 4th Ward, Western Hills Stake, and the many people he met through work, church, coaching, and the community. He had a way of making people feel like they mattered and loved a good conversation.

One of Chris's great loves was coaching little league sports. He coached many in the Kearns neighborhood and Western Hills Little League, teaching far more than the fundamentals of baseball. He taught kids how to love the game, keep their head down, field a grounder, wear a cup, go back on a fly ball, and wait their turn during work-ups. He was a great coach and loved his players, no matter their abilities.
Chris loved the outdoors, especially fishing, hunting, and camping. Some of his happiest memories were made in Salina Canyon, where he spent countless trips with family and friends. Gooseberry was more than a beautiful place to him. It was a place of family, home and brought peace, beauty, and happiness.
Chris was also a proud graduate of Murray High School and loved returning to the Murray parade every Fourth of July. He was a passionate University of Utah football fan and a longtime season ticket holder in Section N27. He rarely missed a home game until his knees finally made it too difficult to attend. He cheered the Utes to victory countless times, and some of his fondest memories were made up on the hill at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

He was also a devoted Boston Red Sox fan, a proud Democrat, and a lover of classic rock. His favorite music included Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Elton John, Dan Fogelberg, Neil Young, Eric Clapton, and Led Zeppelin. He passed his love of classic rock on to his children, grandchildren and David Riches. Car rides with Chris often came with a challenge: if you wanted to change the station, you first had to correctly guess the song that was playing. Needless to say, the station didn't change very often.

After retirement, Chris enjoyed his mornings at Great Harvest, where he looked forward to breakfast and the conversations he shared with his friend Andrew. He also had a secret love that many people may not have known about: Gilmore Girls. It was just one more little piece of Chris that made him uniquely Chris.
Chris leaves behind a legacy of love, service, friendship, humor, and devotion to his family. He was the kind of husband, father, grandfather, friend, and neighbor who could always be counted on. His life was spent taking care of people, fixing what was broken, showing up when he was needed, and making those around him feel loved.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building located at 4825 West 7000 South, West Jordan, Utah. A visitation will be held at the church from 10:00–10:45 a.m. Burial will follow at Herriman Cemetery, 12465 South Pioneer Street, Herriman, Utah.

In honor of Chris, the family asks that those attending the funeral wear something Red.
Dad, Grandpa, and husband, you were taken too soon. We will miss your stories, your funny jokes, your warm hugs, your good advice, and our conversations around the dinner table. We will miss your voice, your laughter, your music, your stories, and all the little things that made you who you were.
You were loved by everyone who had the privilege of knowing you. Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for all you did for us. Thank you for never missing a family event and for always being there. Thank you for teaching us how to work hard, accept others, love our families, enjoy the outdoors, cheer for the Utes, and find happiness in life.

You were the best husband, dad, grandpa, friend, and neighbor we could have asked for. We will carry your love, example, and all our wonderful memories with us for the rest of our lives.
We know you'll always be with us and will be watching over us from the other side.
We know we will see you again on the other side.
Until then,
Go Utes!
And Family on 3!