Linfield track and field great Carl Bruce Shaw passed away peacefully in Spokane, Washington, on Nov. 24, 2022, surrounded in love by his wife and children. He was 69.
 
Considered perhaps the greatest sprinter in Linfield and Northwest Conference history, Carl was inducted into the Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005.
 
Carl was born on October 20, 1953, in Los Angeles and was the second youngest of seven siblings. He attended Verbum Dei Catholic School and graduated from Morning Side High School. He received an track and field scholarship to Linfield College (now University) where he graduated in 1976
 
Competing as a senior for Linfield in 1976, Carl teamed with Keith Lazelle, Stew Minors and Randy Carter to capture the NAIA national championship in the mile relay (440 yards) in a time of 3 minutes, 11.16 seconds at Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
 
Their best time, mathematically converted to the current 1,600-meter standard, remains Linfield's school record at 3:09.40.
 
All four were seniors, reaching the height of their careers in their final meet and bringing Linfield its first and still-only national championship in a men's running event. The Wildcats won five national field event titles in the 1990s.
 
John Knight, coach of the 1976 Linfield team, vividly remembers the national mile relay final. "We were in fifth place when Carl Shaw got the baton for the last leg. He passed everybody, including teams from Texas Southern and Prairie View (the favorites) and ran his anchor leg in 44.9 to win it."
 
While perusing his athletic career, he met his late wife Penny at a track meet in Seattle. They spent years together in Spokane, where they raised their three sons, Carl II, Joshua, and Alexander.
 
While living in Spokane, he met and married his wife Dianne. They shared their life and love for the last 23 years. Dianne brought much joy and blessing into Carl's life, including the addition of seven children.
 
Over the years, his blended family grew to include many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
 
If you knew Carl you know two things: First, the most important relationship to him was with God. Secondly, he cherished his family more than anything else. He spent his lifetime instilling these values into all those who knew him.
 
Carl owned and operated his own business for over 30 years as a painter. He perfected his craft and passed this skill on to anyone who was in need and willing to learn. He was a man committed to family, hard work, and self-improvement. No matter what life threw at Carl his attitude was always positive and his spirit could never be broken.
 
Carl was preceded in death by his parents, Willy and Paralee Shaw, first wife Penny Thomley Shaw, sister Gwen Alston, Brothers Willy Shaw Jr., and Artie Shaw, and children Brooks Stewart and Dawn Tensley.
 
He is survived by his, wife Dianne Shaw, and sons Carl Shaw II, Joshua Shaw, Alexander Shaw, James Stewart, Cara Jeanne, David Stewart, and Julian Stewart, as well as siblings: Raymond Shaw, Charles Shaw, Eddie Shaw, Darryl Shaw, Hazel Washington, Wilma Kaufman.
 
Carl was also a beloved uncle and great-uncle to many nieces and nephews spending time most frequently with Dwight, Lamar, Kiara, and Aria. He loved being Grandpa, gam-pa, black pop, and grandpa to his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, most recently spending time with Adalyn, Joshua (JT), Jaleesa, Jordin, Jace, Josalie, Maeve, Jayden, Makia, Ellie, Izaiah, Isis, Nicholas, Gabby, Lakesha, Othello (great).
 
He was laid to rest on Nov. 30 in Spokane.