George Edwin Shafer

April 27, 1937 – July 2, 2024

George Edwin Shafer died peacefully on July 2, 2024, with his wife and daughter by his side. He was a blessing to those who knew him throughout his 87 years. George had a deep love for the Lord, his family, church, and country.

George was born April 27, 1937, in Hackensack, New Jersey to James Insley Shafer and Anita Lillian LaCroix Shafer. He spent his childhood in Radburn, NJ and enjoyed trips into New York with his father to watch professional baseball games. George was confirmed at Episcopal Church of the Atonement in Fair Lawn, NJ where he served as an acolyte until the family moved to Clearwater, Florida.

George graduated with high honors from Clearwater High School in 1955, where he was involved in sports photography and the yearbook. After high school he attended the University of Florida and studied electrical engineering. He began his career in the space industry with Martin Marietta. While working there, he helped to design the monorail at Disney World. He was an amateur golfer while in Florida, and caddied for several PGA golfers over the years.

As a staunch churchman, George was deeply involved in church ministry at St. Luke’s Episcopal Cathedral in Orlando, Florida. He led the acolytes training as head altar server, served as a lay reader and was a member of the Vestry.

It was as serving as a leader with the Episcopal Young Chuchmen that he met his future wife, Jo Dame, who was also serving as a youth leader at her parish. They married six months later at the Cathedral on December 27, 1971, and lived in Orlando where their son, James, was born. The family of three moved to Yakima, Washington, in 1975, where his daughter, Elizabeth, was born.

George accepted an electrical engineering design position at Hanford Nuclear Industries. He worked at Hanford for 23 years and then took over the electrical department at Lowe’s for an additional 10 years. He spent over 20 years working on the sidelines of local high school football games. His love of trains included model railroading as well as being an engineer with Northern Pacific Steam Engines in Toppenish, and he was even Santa on the Yakima Valley Trolleys. For nearly 50 years, he was a member of the Yakima Model Railroad Club, where he spent many hours building friendships and large train layouts.

He was an active member of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church for 20 years. While there, he served as the acolyte master, lay reader, and as a member of the Vestry. He was also involved with the Diocese of Spokane and Camp Cross. He later joined St. Paul Cathedral where he was a dedicated member for almost 30 years, serving as a lay reader and on Parish Council.

His deep faith has sustained him all his life. George is survived by his wife of 54 years; two children, James Shafer and Elizabeth (Shafer) Smith. He is also survived by his brother Richard Shafer. His grandchildren include Alexander, Elise, Emaline, Ellasyn, Evangeline, Colton and Declan.

The Funeral Mass will take place on Friday, July 12, 2024, at 10:00 am at St. Paul Cathedral (15 S. 12th Ave. Yakima, WA 98902).

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Fund for Seminarians and Retired Priests at St. Paul Cathedral in George’s memory.