James Oscar Shaver

James Oscar Shaver MD, a longtime colon and rectal surgeon and beloved father and grandfather, died January 14, 2026 at his home in Evanston, Ill.

He was 92 and died of complications of Alzheimer's disease.

Jim was known for being extraordinarily kind, funny, decent, and humble. His blue eyes sparkled when telling a joke and provided a calm, gentle gaze when needed. He devoted his life to taking care of his patients, friends, and family.

Jim was born August 29, 1933 in Durant, Okla. to Benjamin Alfonso Shaver and Mary Freeman Shaver. His brother, Benjamin Alfonza Shaver Jr., was three years older. Their mother taught English at Durant High School, where their father taught chemistry before opening the Ben Shaver Frigidaire appliance stores in Durant and nearby Paris, Texas.

Jim graduated from Southeastern State College (now Southeastern Oklahoma State University) in Durant as a chemistry major in 1954. He earned his medical degree from the Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, La. in 1958.

He and Beverly, his wife of 65 years, met during their medical internships at Charity Hospital of Louisiana. Beverly, who had been widowed several years earlier, always said, "He was the first man who made me laugh again." They married September 2, 1960 in New Orleans.

After Jim and Beverly completed their residencies at Tulane-Jim's in colon and rectal surgery and Beverly's in pediatrics-they moved to Phoenix, Ariz., where Jim opened his own practice in 1965. Over the next 33 years, he cared for thousands of patients, many of whom praised his comforting bedside manner. He performed surgeries at Good Samaritan, Phoenix Baptist, St. Joseph's, John C. Lincoln, and Scottsdale Memorial hospitals.

He somehow always found time to be a fully present father to four children, hitting them buckets of tennis balls, hunting for seashells in Rocky Point, Mexico, and championing them throughout their lives. He reminded them often to "Keep your mind on your business" and "Just do the best you can with what you've got."

After retiring in 1998, Jim enjoyed traveling with Beverly and spending time at their cabin in Flagstaff, Ariz. He delighted in their seven grandchildren, who loved to read in PaPa's lap, join him in watching the Indy 500, and help him make sourdough biscuits. He also continued to use his gentle bedside manner to support patients as a hospice volunteer.

In 2012, Jim and Beverly moved from Paradise Valley, Ariz. to The Mather senior living community in Evanston to be closer to family.

Jim is survived by his wife Beverly Billinger Shaver MD; children Anne Millicent Shaver, James ("Jos") Oscar Shaver Jr., Elizabeth ("Lili") Freeman Shaver, and Katherine ("Katie") Shaver Barnard (Robert Barnard); and grandchildren Benjamin James Shaver, Tyler James Shaver, Marcus Hunter Duquette, William James Duquette, Natalie Elizabeth Duquette, Laura Shaver Barnard, and James Shaver Barnard.

The Shaver family held a celebration of Jim's life on January 30 in Evanston. His ashes will be interred at a later date at All Saints' Episcopal Church in Phoenix. Donations in lieu of flowers would be appreciated at NorthShore Hospice Care or the Alzheimer's Association.