Paul Fleming Munde Shaver III

Paul Fleming Munde Shaver, III, 65, although often thought to be only 55, of Montvale, Va. and Nags Head, N.C., died Sunday, July 30, 2006 known to his friends as "Paulie." Born in Newport News, Va., a son of the late Paul F.M. Shaver II and Betty Shaver. He is survived by his soul mate and lifetime partner, Sarah Morris; his brothers, Billy Shaver, now of Buchanan, Va., Jack Shaver of Newport News, Va., his sister, Sally Cudworth of Bel Air, Md., and their spouses, Cheryl, Mary Lou and Carl. He lost his younger sister, Beth to an automobile accident when she was a teen. Paul also has two children, Kimberly Harrah and her significant other, Jimmy Bayne and Leonard Bennett and his wife, Drina, all of Newport News. He was very close to Leonard's wife, Drina, who Paulie gave away at their wedding. Surviving him also is a close friend, his former wife and the mother of his children, Donna Harrah; grandchildren, Kendall Carrithers and Sydney Smith, both of Newport News; nephews, Ethan, Aaron and Jordon Cudworth, all of Bel Air, Md.; and sisters of Cheryl Shaver, Krissi Wymer and Carlene Valkonen, both of Buchanan. His brother, Billy Shaver, the "Pigman", and his wife, Cheryl moved to the Roanoke Valley several years ago. Paulie followed his brother and built a second home on 300 mountain acres near his brother. He began to raise cattle and enjoyed now being an authentic "cowboy." On late Sunday afternoon, Paulie left on his 4-wheel ATV to travel up a mountain on his Goose Creek Valley property. When he did not return after dark, Sarah and a neighbor searched for and found Paul. He was thrown off the ATV and suffered what is believed to be a fatal neck injury, while traversing a steep part of the mountain. The medical examiner believes that he died near instantly. Paulie lived in his Nags Head home in the Nature Conservancy and came to the Outer Banks over 34 years ago. The owner of Black Pelican Restaurant, Kitty Hawk. Together with his partner, John Lancaster, he began his ventures in the Outer Banks with the "Oz", an early Nags Head dance and music club. Then built and operated Nags Head Realty and J. Fleming Munde's Restaurant, which was later sold to Kelly's. They also developed and owned the Barrier Island Station Resorts. Newly formed Barrier Island Aviation. Co-owner Sugarcreek Cafe, formerly RVs, Nags Head. Numerous other real estate and other ventures in the Outer Banks, Shenandoah Valley, Wyoming, and even Switzerland. Paulie lived an adventurous life, but was never a daredevil. He raced cars and trucks, including a stint in the NASCAR's Sportsman class, marathon rally races from London, England to Sydney, Australia and recently, in May 2006, up the length of South America, and even desert racing across the Mexican Baha. Paul ran with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain on several occasions, and spent a couple years of his youth traveling Europe and as a ski instructor in Switzerland. An avid pilot, he regularly and often flew young burn victims and their families for the Shriners, and together with long time friend, Rex Peters, flew relief missions for Hurricane Katrina victims. Memorial contributions may be made to The Bedford Domestic Violence Shelter, PO Box 783, Bedford, Va. 24523. A celebration of Paulie's life will be conducted at 6 p.m., Tuesday, August 1, 2006 at Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford, 540-586-3443 with the Rev. Richard Craver officiating. To send condolences, please visit www.tharpfuneralhome.com.
This obituary was originally published in the Roanoke Times.