Earl Ralph Shaffer
May 31, 1928 - July 30, 2010
Obituary
The life of Earl Ralph Shaffer gently came to a close on Friday afternoon, July 30, 2010 at Auburn Regional Medical Center.
He was born on May 31st, 1928 in Ellensburg, Washington, and although he enjoyed many years in Browning, Montana and Sitka, Alaska, Washington State was always his home.
Earl loved his life and lived it well. He served our nation in the United States army, giving a part of his young adulthood to preserving our freedoms in the Korean War. He loved to hunt, fish, race cars, ride horses, shoot pool, work, dance, and raise children. He was a mechanic, driver, rancher and fisherman and had a whistle no one has been able to duplicate. He was a father to sons David Shaffer of Enumclaw, WA, Mike Kennedy of Shelton, WA, and daughters to Dianna Kvalheim Kennedy of Spokane, WA, and Patricia Clothier Kennedy of Portland, OR. and was a grandfather to their children. He extended his love to his many nieces and nephews as well as the children on the school busses he drove.
Earl R. Shaffer is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Ingrid Shaffer of Auburn, WA, his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews and many, many friends.
Through Christ, he is reunited with his parents, Milton L. and Roslen C. Shaffer, his brother Wayne and sisters, LaVerne, Fern and Dianna as well as all other loved ones who passed before him.
Those wishing to attend a viewing may do so from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm, Thursday, 08/05 and from 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm on Friday. Funeral Services for Earl R. Shaffer will be held at BONNEY-WATSON Washington Memorial, 16445 International Blvd., SeaTac, WA. 206 242-1787 on Friday, August 6, 2010 at 3:00 pm.
The Shaffer family wishes to extend a heartfelt ‘Thank you’ to his physicians and the medical staff of Auburn Regional Medical Center for their expertise, care and kindness they gave Earl and his family during his illness and difficult time.
Please sign the guest book at www.bonneywatson.com.
My name is Gina, I am the daughter of Mike Kennedy which makes Earl my grandpa. I was unable to make it to the funeral so I wanted to say I loved him very much and I will never forget the sound of his unique whistle and the smell of his pipe. Love and miss you always. Love your granddaughter Gina
Ralph will be missed by many. I met Ralph in the early ’60’s, I’ll remember the hunting trips to Ellensburg , the time the mayor of Black Diamond totaled my car, and almost my wife, and ralph sold me one of my favoite cars, 37 Dodge, 2 door sedan , I remember going to the gas staition in Kent, the time him and Wayne were at my house , I loaned Ralph a cue I had just aquired , he liked it , so I gave it to him, he usually had it when we shot pool, a gentle giant of a man, but I think he could be real meen, if someone messed with his family, and he had a very large family, Like Wayne and Chuck, I concidered Ralph as another Brother. Did not ever get to spend as much time with him as I would have liked , but treasure the time we did have . We all will wish we would take the time to spend with loved ones , after they are gone. I just can’t say enough , Ralph will be missed, Love Ya Ralph. Jim
Earl was everything a person would want in a friend and he was one to all. We are so sorry for your loss. He always referred to me as “Red on the Head”. I know he is with Mom and Dad Joiner and all his beloved family. Rest in Peace, our dear Earl.
Earl, just a big loving gentle man who loved his family and friends and expecially loved that little poodle dog who spent its life in his lap. I know that mom had a special place in your heart and you in hers. Your presence at our birthday parties for mom and our reunions and Christmas parties just made them a little extra special. Earl, you were a man of men and you lived life to its fullest. You were more than a brother in law to me.
My heart is aching for the loss of our loving family member only because I will miss him every day from now until we meet again, and for the babies who will never know him. He was a wonderful, colorful, interesting, well-respected man and a ‘pillar in a storm’. I’ll never know who has actually won the ‘I love you more’ arguement. Let’s call it a draw. Lots of Love, Forevermore, Linda