Jay passed away Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017, at the age of 80 after a brief battle with cancer. His son, Jay Lee, and daughter-in-law, Ronda, were at his bedside holding his hand.
Jay was born June 20, 1936, in Sheridan, Mont., to Arnold "Jim" and Adaline Mae (Glasser) Shafer. Most of his preschool years were spent snowed in near a gold mine in the Ruby Mountains. His entire youth school years were spent attending school in Sheridan.
One of his special schoolmates was Sharon Lea Long, who moved to Pomeroy to be closer to her family. After graduation, Jay corresponded frequently with Sharon and followed her to eastern Washington. Work was difficult to find for Jay at that time and he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1954. With leave after boot camp, Jay came home to marry his lifelong sweetheart, Sharon. They were married Nov. 26, 1954, in Coeur d'Alene.
Jay's military service included participation in the military sea transportation service (MSTS). He was sent with a Marine detachment to Saigon, Vietnam, for Operation Passage to Freedom. He served on a refugee rescue mission, one of the first such operations in the Vietnam conflict.
During his final year in the military at Travis Airfield in California, his oldest son, Jay Lee, was born. After discharge, Jay worked at JB Lumber in Clarkston and was encouraged by his supervisor to attend college. He arranged his work schedule to allow him to work nights and attend college during the day.
With Sharon's help, Jay completed college and took a position as a teacher/principal in a small school in Lakeview, Ore. During this time, Jay and Sharon were blessed with their second son, Jefrey Dean.
After a brief tenure in Oregon, the Shafer family returned to the Lewiston-Clarktson Valley and Jay completed a second degree in education at the University of Idaho. Jay spent the next 33 years with the Lewiston School District as an English teacher, counselor and driver's education instructor. When asked by his students the reason for his retirement, Jay said, "after going through puberty 33 times, my body wore out."
Jay and Sharon loved their boys and followed their participation in all sports. The family made many return trips to Montana for fly-fishing and to see family. They loved to attend auctions and estate sales to search for rare antiques. Hunting, fishing, motorcycling and camping were the highlights of his life. He hunted until his last years with his son Jay and grandson Collin.
During his last four years, he reconnected with an old friend, Ladonna Ellis. They shared fun times and did some traveling and sight-seeing together, enjoying each other's companionship.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Sharon; son Jef; and brother Raymond. Jay is survived by his son Jay and daughter-in-law Ronda; grandsons Collin, Cory and Jason; brothers Stan and Kim; and some special nieces and nephews.
At Jay's request, there will be no memorial service. Donations may be made to Lewis-Clark Animal Shelter. He loved his chocolate Labradors.
Condolences
John & Kerry Giardinelli
We always loved Jay's happy laugh and positive attitude about life. I enjoyed all the years teaching with him at Sacajawea Jr. High. He was a very special person. He had a special gift of building self-confidence in his students. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
John & Kerry Giardinelli
Wednesday, January 25, 2017 3:34 PM
Lee Kipper
Prayers from the Kipper family in Arizona.
Tuesday, January 24, 2017 8:00 PM
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