Paul Shaffer

Paul A. Shaffer, 57, passed from this life to his heavenly home on July 26, 2016. Visitation will be at the family home from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 with dinner provided by his PETS Low Cost Spay and Neuter Clinic family. His Celebration of Life will be at 11:00 a.m. at Friberg-Cooper United Methodist Church, 5511 Friberg Church Road on Wednesday, August 3, 2016 with a luncheon for all immediately following in the Fellowship Hall.

Paul was born in Erie, PA on April 22, 1959 to mother, Katherine Manfred, and father, Lee Shaffer. Paul graduated from Lower Dauphin High School in Hummelstown PA. After graduation he entered the Air Force on Sept 13, 1977 and retired after 22 years of service on January 31, 1999 as a Master Sergeant. During his Air Force career, he served at Offutt AFB, NE; Keflavik Iceland, Norton AFB CA and Sheppard AFB TX. He began his career as a jet-engine mechanic, and later became an instructor in this field, then a Field Training Detachment Superintendent and retired as an Operations Manager.

Paul graduated from Wayland Baptist University with his Bachelor’s degree and received his Master’s degree with University of North Texas. He planned to get his doctorate, but Alice refused to call him “Dr. Shaffer.”

Upon retirement from the Air Force, Paul worked for GM Delphi Energy and Chassis Plant as a Sr. Training and Development Specialist in Wichita Falls and then transferred to Oklahoma City’s General Motors Plant overseeing the training program for their multi-million dollar Paint Department. In 2002, he returned to Wichita Falls, Texas to marry Alice A. Burbank Fulkerson Shaffer on May 31, 2003 after a long 10-year “courtship.” Approximately a year prior to their marriage, Paul began his 15-year battle with cancer. During his treatments, Paul and Alice fought their fight against cancer as a team. His determination and spirit never wavered.

Paul was a jack-of-all trades unless it involved plumbing and that was definitely a “four letter” word in his life. He always helped his elderly neighbors in whatever they needed. In his spare time, he also assisted with several builds for Habitat for Humanity, Christmas in April, Children’s Home and immeasurable repair/renovation projects at his church. As soon as his wife started volunteering at PETS, he also became part of this extended family and started doing repair jobs for them and headed-up the first Chain-off Build for PETS. He was always there to help out when he could see something needed to be done.

While Paul never had children of his own, he was truly a “father” to his step-daughter, Kristi. One of his proudest moments was when Kristi asked him to dance with her at the Father/Daughter performance with the Boomtown Babes at a football game.

Paul had a heart of gold, but he was a proud and stubborn man and had a real hard time asking people to help him once he was no longer able to do things as he could in the past. One thing that never wavered once he committed to his wife, Alice, was his unconditional love and support. They were true soul-mates.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Katherine Manfred; father, Lee Shaffer and elder brother, Barry Shaffer. He leaves his wife of 13 years, Alice Ann Burbank Fulkerson Shaffer, his step-daughter Kristi Lee Fulkerson Harden and husband Eric Lee Harden of Cypress, Texas, and three grandchildren, Logan Lee, Carson Jett and Kaitlyn Pearl Harden; his eldest brother, Lee J. Shaffer, Jr. and wife, Darlene Shaffer; his elder brother’s wife, Sharon Shaffer; his youngest brother, Raymond Shaffer; and his brother-in law, David Ray Burbank. Last but certainly not least he leaves his four fur-babies, Kocoa, Harley, Kaluha and Belvedere who were “his” children.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Friberg-Cooper UMC, 5511 Friberg Church Rd., Wichita Falls TX 76306 or P.E.T.S. Low Cost Spay and Neuter Clinic, 500 Wichita Street, Wichita Falls TX 76301.

Online condolences may be sent to hamptovaughancrestview.com.