Our Founder
Lewis William Shaw, II
February13,1943–March5,2025
The North Texas commercial real estate community lost a true pioneer, visionary, entrepreneur, patriot, and gentleman. Jackson-Shaw’s Founder and Chairman, Lewis W. Shaw, II, passed away in Dallas on March 5, 2025, following a brief illness.
Lewis was a man of remarkable personality and diverse interests. More than just a leader in real estate, he was a natural teacher who often said, “When one teaches, two learn.” His wisdom, generosity, and passion for mentoring left a lasting impact on those fortunate enough to work alongside him.
After earning his Bachelor of Arts from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, in 1966, Lewis spent seven years serving in the U.S. Air Force. As an instructor in B-38s, he developed a deep and lifelong passion for aviation. He channeled that enthusiasm into aerobatic competitions, once joking that while his car cost only $75, his airplane was a far more significant investment.
His career took a turn when he joined IBM in Dallas, where he completed a rigorous 90-day training program and entered the world of typewriter sales. During his tenure at IBM, he met Janet Spencer, the love of his life, to whom he famously sold a Correcting Selectric typewriter. He also encountered many business leaders, including Jim Jackson, who recognized Lewis’s entrepreneurial drive and keen business acumen.
In 1974, Lewis joined J.C. Jackson Company as a construction manager and leasing agent. Following the passing of Jim Jackson, Lewis acquired the company and transformed it from a small local contractor and brokerage operation into a nationally recognized developer of build-to-suit and speculative projects. Under his leadership and at the time of his passing, Jackson-Shaw has developed over 63 million square feet of commercial space, representing a value exceeding $2.5 billion. Today, the company remains a leader in urban industrial and hospitality development.
Lewis also co-founded American General Hospitality, Inc. in 1980, which became a publicly traded REIT (AGH) in 1996 before merging with Meristar REIT (MHX) and Interstate Hotels and Resorts (IHR). His influence in the hospitality sector extended to hotel developments and investments in Las Vegas, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Phoenix.
In recognition of his significant contributions to the commercial real estate industry, Lewis was inducted into the North Texas Commercial Association of Realtors (NTCAR) Hall of Fame in 2003. He also served on the Wittenberg University Board of Directors and actively participated in numerous civic and national organizations. He was a longtime member of Brook Hollow Golf Club.
Lewis and Janet shared 46 years of a loving marriage, traveling the world by plane, train, automobile, ship, and motorcycle. Together, they built beautiful homes in Texas and Colorado.
One of their proudest achievements was Wilder on the Taylor ranch community in the Gunnison/Crested Butte region of Colorado. Formerly known as the Elsinore Cattle Company Ranch and the Wapiti Ranch, this breathtaking 2,100-acre property became a model for responsible land stewardship and preservation. When faced with the possibility of the glorious meadow – its golden waves of hay swaying in the gentle breeze – being converted into a golf course, Lewis knew its fate had to be different. His guiding principle for the historic ranch, hidden in the midst of two million acres of Federal Forest, was simple yet profound: “How to take a beautiful piece of land and preserve it at the highest level.”
Lewis had a deep respect for the western ranching heritage, a passion for exceptional architecture, and a commitment to conservation. He furthered his knowledge in these fields by attending the Harvard Graduate School of Design.
A memorial service was held at Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home in Dallas on April 5, 2025. Those wishing to honor Lewis’s legacy may consider donating to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dallas or the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Tarrant County.
Lewis Shaw’s legacy lives on in the landscapes he helped shape, the communities he strengthened, and the countless lives he touched. His handshake was firm, his word was unwavering, and his heart was always open. Though he has taken his final flight, his spirit soars on in all who knew him.
Fly high, Lewis W. Shaw, II.