Gregory Eugene Shue

Gregory E. Shue
September 7, 1962 - December 17, 2021


An inspiration to all that met him, Greg Shue lived a life of passionate determination and dedication to his family. Greg passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his wife, Carol, his son, Gregory, his sister-in-law, Christine Gianturco, and dear friends, Steve & Nicole Labella.

In addition to the family at his side, he is survived by his mother, Dottie Shue, and partner Leon Sowers, his father, Gene Shue, and partner Patti Amis-Massey, his sister, Sue Shue, and partner Debbie Korleski, and his sister, Linda Shue. Greg is also survived by his trusted companion and guide dog, Magnus, as well as his brother-in-law, nieces and nephews, and many adoring cousins.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Greg’s early loves were basketball and tennis. His family moved to San Diego, California in 1978 where Greg continued to play basketball in high school before returning to Maryland for his college years. While his illness made him return to San Diego in 1985, it also brought him closer to his beloved Carol, who he met one year later and married in 1988. However, it was in 1986 that Greg was first diagnosed with kidney disease, incepting a multi-decade series of illnesses that might diminish a lesser spirit - but not Greg Shue.
Greg began his journey with Nike in 1989, and while his career in California flourished, his health began to diminish and the search began for a kidney match. Defying the odds for the first time, Greg received his first kidney transplant from his mom, Dottie, in 1995 before moving to Oregon in 1996 to manage the Nike employee store.

An amazing gift, Dottie’s kidney granted Greg four healthy years before his kidney disease worsened, beginning the search yet again. Statistically, the odds of matching kidney antigens between couples to enable a transplant are less than 1 million to one but on December 23, 1999, Carol donated her kidney in the ultimate gift of love as noted in newspapers across Oregon. In 1999, the average transplant granted the recipient 12 - 15 years; at the time of Greg’s passing, Carol’s kidney remained in perfect health, 22 years later.

Despite the wondrous success of the transplant, health issues continued to arise. In 2001, Greg was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma cancer while Carol was five months pregnant with their son and greatest treasure, whom doctors warned Greg might not see grow-up. Gregory was born on April 12, 2002, and only a few months later, on August 3rd, Greg was one of the first kidney transplant patients in the country to receive a stem cell transplant. In October of the same year, Greg lost his vision due to the effects of cancer, officially retiring from Nike in 2003.

Four years later, in June of 2006, the Shue family returned to the San Diego area to be closer to loved ones. Greg delved into favorite activities such as walks with his mom at the San Diego Zoo, and long walks on Coronado with his wife and son. His love of music and concerts was unmatched and he often created mixes for family members from his trove of albums.

In 2010, various cancers returned. Throughout difficult years and numerous treatments, Greg’s indomitable spirit persisted. His sense of humor lifted all around him and is one of the many traits he will forever be remembered by. While Greg ultimately succumbed to squamous cell carcinoma on December 17, 2021, he didn’t lose his fight; he succeeded in every measure of life — as a man, a husband, a father, and friend. He looked at each day anew and lived every second with verve. He is dearly missed and lives on in the courage and laughter of the many lives he touched.

Celebration of Life
January 29, 2022
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
The Crown Hills Club House
1821 Victoria Park Ter
Alpine, CA 91901

Kindly RSVP to Carol Shue via email (gshue@cox.net) by January 22 for catering counts.