John Shaffer

John L. Shaffer, 71-years-old, died on Friday, September 19, 2014, at Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas. John's strong will to live, his faith in God, and the love and prayers of family, friends and many others across the world that he befriended, gave him strength during his four weeks in ICU - even while on life support. John fought the double pneumonia and complications but the Lord called him. John passed from this life at 12:00 noon, in the arms of his wife Vi. John, this incredible man, was born in Dublin, Texas on May 24, 1943 to Thomas Reagan and Vera Shaffer. John's childhood was a hard-scrabble life - living in an old, time-worn, two-bedroom clapboard house in Erath County, Texas. John spoke of his "Nonny Pup" who went everywhere with him and saved him from a snakebite. John was very young when he got the puppy and couldn't say "Johnny" - instead he said it was "Nonny's pup" - and so the name stayed. John began working in a grocery store and helping the butcher from the age of twelve. He later became a butcher, managed a few grocery stores and had his own concession truck where he cooked at fairs and events. While living in Carlsbad, New Mexico John became a police officer. Lastly he worked in sales for John Morrell Foods and then become District Sales Manager for Affiliated Foods, where he covered several states and Mexico, John married Vi Hummel Carr on December 2, 2006. As they both would say "It took us a long time to get it right - but we finally did!" The love they shared is what dreams are made of. Together 24 hours a day - 7 days a week they never tired of one another's company and their love grew even stronger. Vi had been volunteering her and her K9s' services, in K9 Human Remains Detection, to law enforcement and fire departments for fifteen years when they married. John eagerly became a part of that calling. He already had many skills and knowledge necessary and became a K9 Field Support Specialist. He studied and trained devotedly with his K9 "Omega" and became accomplished as a K9 Handler. Many husbands would balk at "doing without" to be able to provide this service free of charge - without outside financial support or grants for all their K9s' upkeep or equipment. But, that was fine with John - this was his "calling" too. He looked for even more ways to give back to society as they worked throughout Texas and beyond. How many husbands would agree to go on a homicide search in the middle of their honeymoon? Words cannot truly describe this exceptional man who made an impact on every life he touched. His smile, sense of humor, kindness, and loving, giving nature - his beautiful voice... his "Hey Young un", or "Whatcha doin' little un?" will be missed by many people. John was a Christian. He didn't preach the Christian life - he lived it. He was also a Life Member of the Homicide Investigators of Texas. John was preceded in death by his mother, father, sister Juanita Clyde, brothers Alex and Odell, nephew Mark Shaffer, brother-in-law Leroy Palmer, his "Nonny Pup" and his beloved K9 Omega. John is survived by his wife Vi of Mineral Wells, TX, sister Bonnie Palmer, daughters Tracy Markham (husband Rio), and Lisa Bartley (husband Charles); sons John Shaffer and Jimmy Hummel, Jr. (wife Wendy); niece and nephew Vicky and Kurt Johnson; great niece and nephew Dr. Miranda Nash and Alan Nash; great nephew Jared Boucher, sister-in-law Ginger Shaffer, niece Debra Guthrie (husband David); cousin Linda Ake, ten grandchildren, one great granddaughter, and his four-legged "kids" "Spirit" and "True". John will be cremated. A Memorial Service will be hosted at Clark Gardens Botanical Park, in their Chapel, on Sunday, September 28, 2014 at 2:30 pm. Clark Gardens Botanical Park is located between Mineral Wells, and Weatherford, at 567 Maddux Rd. Weatherford, TX In lieu of flowers, donations, to assist with the many medical costs not covered by Medicare, may be made to the: Benefit for John L. Shaffer, account 71110123081 at First Financial Bank, 1900 E Hubbard St. Mineral Wells, TX 76067. Thank you to John's six specialist doctors and all those in ICU at Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, TX, and Harris Methodist Hospital in Stephenville, TX. who gave him such wonderful care. And a special thank you to Dr. Derek Dombroski, who became a special part of John and Vi's life.