Cody Francis Shaw, 74, of Springdale, AR, passed away on September 25th surrounded by his family.

Cody was born on July 19th, 1948 to Francis Marion and Veda Warren Shaw in Cavanaugh, Arkansas. He spent his childhood playing  in the woods around his house with his best friend and brother, Darrell.  Although the boys were raised out in the country, they were fortunate to have cousins that lived nearby.  Together the boys gave Veda and their aunt Babe all that they could handle.  Cody often told tales of the antics that the boys got into.  More than one of these tales ended with their mom chasing them around the house waving a broom. Fortunately, she was never quite fast enough to catch them.

Cody graduated from Southside High School, as a member of their first ever graduating class, in 1969. Shortly after graduation, one of his cousins set him up on a blind date.  Little did he know that one night would turn into the rest of his life.  Cody quickly fell in love with Cindy, and  they married in the summer of 1969.  They were married for 53 year and had 5 children: Rebecca, Christy, Kyle, Kara, & Kimberly.

Throughout his life, Cody served in a variety of positions both professionally and as a volunteer.  At the beginning of his married life Cody worked as the manager of  Kroger Value Village.  He went on to work at Mitchell Machinery in outside sales.  From there, Cody landed a job at Pizza Hut where he was quickly promoted to manager.  Cody often said that in hindsight, Pizza Hut was his favorite job he ever had.   When the hours at Pizza Hut became too much for a young father trying to help his wife raise young kids,  Cody had to move on.  Eventually Cody landed a position as the head of materials management at Sparks Regional Medical Center.  He worked at Sparks for over 20 years.  After Sparks, he briefly worked at Regency Hospital in Fayetteville.  Cody finished up his working life at KMF, Inc in materials management and HR.  He also loved his side jobs as a basketball referee and co-owner of Simple Pleasures, a shop selling beer and wine making supplies.

As a volunteer, Cody served as the School Board President at St. Boniface Catholic School and served as President of the Board of Directors at the Sparks Federal Credit Union. Cody and Cindy organized and planned the St. Boniface Lawn Social for a number of years where he often dressed as a clown to take pictures with children. He also coached Kara and Kimberly's softball team with his daughter, Christy, and their basketball team with his son, Kyle.

Cody was always very involved in family life. He strived to provide his children with everything they desired. One snowy winter day, his kids were outside desperately attempting to slide down the driveway on trash can lids.  After watching their multiple failed attempts, he disappeared into his workshop. About an hour later he came back with a wooden sled that he had fabricated using wood from his scrap pile. He then proceeded to pull the sled up and down the street all afternoon.

Cody was infatuated with anything that had an engine and wheels. He loved to buy, sell or trade cars.  For him, the process of negotiating and haggling was as much of a joy as actually owning the car.  If cars were his joy, motorcycles were his passion.  Cody would tell anyone that would listen that there is no feeling like riding his Valkyrie through the winding back roads of the Ozark Mountains. He often ventured off on cross country trips astride his motorcycle with Cindy riding shotgun. Even after he could no longer ride, his love of motorcycles never waned. In fact, he had a room in his house, the "Harley room,"  dedicated to displaying all of  his motorcycle memorabilia.

Cody loved the simple things in life, including ice cream runs, going on car rides–any destination was fine, telling stories of his youth, and loving on his kids, grandchildren, and great-grandchild.

Cody was preceded in death by his parents, Veda (Warren) and Francis Shaw; his nephew, Bill Shaw; and his infant daughter, Rebecca. He is survived by his loving wife, Cindy, four children, eighteen grandchildren, and one great-grandson: Christy  & David Koprovic and their children: Brittney, Brigitte (Shaun Crisel) and their son Adder, Bethany, Travis Landry (Maddie Jensen), Olivia (Juan Araujo), Jackie, Yazmin, Koby McMahand, and Mckenzie; Kyle & Danielle Shaw and their children: AnnaClaire, Holden, Bradney, & Journey; Kara and Kevin Rowe and their children: Kinley, Kadie, & Knox; Kimberly Willson, and her children Bekah and Nicodemus, and their father Nick Willson. He is also survived by his brother, Darrell and his wife, Jeannie, as well as countless in-laws, nieces, and nephews.

Visitation and Rosary will be held on Sunday, October 2nd, 2022 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home in Springdale, Arkansas. Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, October 3rd, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Raphael Catholic Church in Springdale.