Industry veteran Larry Shaw dies

Had long career in casual furniture industry

Larry Thomas, Furniture/Today -- Casual Living, 12/16/2009 7:55:00 AM

Casual furniture executive Lawrence M. "Larry" Shaw, 81, has died in Salisbury, N.C.

Shaw joined casual furniture manufacturer Woodard as an industrial engineer in 1956. Three years later, he moved to Salisbury to manage Woodard's Carolina Forge unit.

In 1969, Shaw and William Lyon founded Lyon-Shaw, a producer of upper-end wrought iron furniture. The pair sold the company to Woodard in 1987, and Shaw rejoined that company as vice president of product development. Three years later, he joined accessories resource Garden Source as sales manager, and later became president of Atlanta-based lighting manufacturer Currey & Co., an outgrowth of the Garden Source business.

Shaw retired in 2000 after a four-year stint as chief operating officer of Charleston Forge, a producer of occasional, dining room and accent furniture.

During his career, Shaw served on numerous furniture industry boards and committees, including a stint in 1982-83 as president of the Summer & Casual Furniture Manufacturers Assn., now operating as the International Casual Furnishings Association. In 1986-87, Shaw also was president of the sales and marketing division of the American Furniture Manufacturers Assn., now called the American Home Furnishings Alliance.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Hurley Park, 126 W. Innes Street, Salisbury, N.C. 28144, or the charity of your choice.