Obituary: Lucius Crenshaw “Lou” Shaver Jr.
September 3, 1938 – September 21, 2026
In Loving Memory of Lucius Crenshaw “Lou” Shaver Jr.
Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Coach, Mentor and Friend.
Lucius Crenshaw Shaver Jr., affectionately known as Lou, Papa Lou, Pops and, to generations of young athletes throughout South Lake Tahoe, simply “Coach,” passed away on September 21, 2026, at the age of 88.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Lou later lived in Modesto, California, before moving to South Lake Tahoe in 1968. He was the son of Queen E. Richardson and Lucius Shaver. He grew up during the Motown era and even had the unforgettable experience of dancing with Diana Ross. He was also a cousin of the late Lamonte McLemore of the singing group The 5th Dimension. From a young age, Lou loved sports and was a talented athlete, playing baseball, basketball and running track.
Lou proudly served in the United States Air Force, where he was second chair in the SR-71 Blackbird program. After leaving the Air Force, he began his career as an HVAC technician at Harrah’s Tahoe, where he met the love of his life, Catherine “Cathy” Shaver, in 1969.
In the early 1970s, Lou and Cathy owned and operated Tony’s Fine Food, named after their oldest son, Anthony. Located at the corner of Friday Avenue and Manzanita Avenue in South Lake Tahoe, the business allowed them to share their love of food and hospitality with the local community.
Throughout his career, Lou also worked at several well-known Tahoe casinos, including Park Tahoe, Caesars Tahoe, High Sierra and Horizon. He spent several years working at the Tahoe Daily Tribune. After retiring from the casino industry, he continued working at Safeway on Johnson Boulevard so he could help care for his beloved wife, Cathy. He remained a familiar and friendly face in the community.
Beyond his professional career, Lou was known for his love of baking, especially his famous pineapple upside-down cake. For family and friends, it became one of his signature creations and a cherished memory of time spent together.
One of Lou’s greatest passions in life was coaching. For countless families throughout South Lake Tahoe, Lou was much more than a familiar face. He was Coach Lou.
Lou coached all three of his sons and devoted countless hours to coaching youth basketball, football and baseball, including basketball at Bijou Elementary School. His love for sports went far beyond his own family. Through decades of coaching, he taught, encouraged and mentored countless young people, sharing not only his knowledge of the game but also the importance of teamwork, discipline and sportsmanship. He potentially touched thousands of lives throughout the South Lake Tahoe community. People still refer to him simply as “Coach.”
Lou was a devoted Catholic whose faith was an important part of his life. He was dedicated to giving back to his community through his involvement with local service and charitable organizations, including the Optimist Club, Knights of Columbus, Boy Scouts and Kiwanis Club.
Lou and Cathy built their life together in South Lake Tahoe, raising their three sons, Anthony, Michael and Jonathan. They were fixtures at their sons’ sporting events and community activities. While Lou coached from the sidelines, Cathy could often be found cheering enthusiastically, helping at the snack shack and occasionally letting the umpires know exactly what she thought of a questionable call. Together, they shared a passion for their family and community, creating lifelong memories and friendships along the way.
Lou experienced tremendous heartbreak in early 2021 when their middle son, Michael, passed away in January, followed just 19 days later by Cathy in February. Despite these heartbreaking losses, Lou continued to carry on with the strength and love that defined him.
Lou was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Catherine “Cathy” Shaver, and their son, Michael Shaver.
He is survived by his sons, Anthony Shaver and his wife, Stacy, and Jonathan Shaver and his wife, Katrina. His family also includes his grandchildren Emily, Tara, Makayla and her husband, Kenny Murchison, Isaac and Trevor; Anthony’s stepchildren, Michael and Ronnie; and his three great-granddaughters, Jordyn Lou, Lainey Jo and Kaycee Lee. Jordyn Lou was lovingly named in honor of her great-grandfather, carrying his name and legacy into another generation.
Lou also leaves behind extended family, lifelong friends, former coworkers and countless former players whose lives were touched by knowing him.
To his family, he was Pops. To generations of Tahoe kids, he was Coach Lou.
Above all, he will be remembered for his love of family, his faith, his generosity and his dedication to his community. His legacy lives on through the countless lives he inspired, the lessons he taught and the love he gave so freely. He was an angel on earth. He will be deeply missed, forever loved and never forgotten.
The family will be establishing the “Lou Shaver Memorial Scholarship” to help young athletes in South Lake Tahoe with equipment, registration fees and other sports-related expenses. Through this scholarship, Coach’s legacy of mentorship, encouragement and dedication to young people will continue for generations to come.
For information about contributing, please contact the Shaver family.
