Danny Scott Schaefer

We celebrate the vibrant life of Danny Scott Schaefer, also known as Dan, Big Papa Schaef, or Papa Dan, who was born in Chehalis, WA, on August 7, 1949.
Dan led a life brimming with joy, purpose, and an unwavering faith in Jesus Christ until he peacefully departed this world on July 15, 2024.
A charismatic and spirited husband, father, friend, pastor and papa, he spent his life in service to others, dedicated to his faith, and making the world a better place through his love and compassion.
Dan received a Bachelor's degree from Central Washington University. It was after college, while working as a Pepsi-Cola delivery truck driver, that he felt his life's calling was to love people. The deepest and most important of people turned out to be the young, wild and always stylish Julie Johnson. It was on one of their early dates while Dan was playing a castle guard at a VBS kid's crusade that Julie responded to the message of salvation and took Dan up on his previous offer to get "introduced to his best friend......Jesus!"
They were married 3 months later and eventually followed God's call to Kirkland, WA where Dan pursued a ministry degree at Northwest Bible College. Dan's relationship with Jesus was always the cornerstone of his life. As an Assemblies of God ordained minister he devoted over four decades to pastoral ministry, serving in various roles at Forks Assembly of God, Yelm Prairie Christian Center, Woodside Assembly of God, Sound Life Church and Bethel Church. His infectious laughter, heart for lost people and his ability to tell a great story captivated those around him, making it no surprise that he was a successful minister, mentor and friend to so many.
Following the example of Jesus, Dan's love for people often extended outside the walls of the church. This meant opening the Schaefer home over the years to those who needed a place to stay, witnessing at 3am to the guy getting out of jail when Dan worked as a bail bondsman, partnering with Pure Desire Ministries to find restoration for himself and lead others in rebuilding their lives and restoring their families, and working with families to plan for loss (and come to know hope in Jesus) through advanced planning for Newell-Hoerling's Mortuary in Centralia.
Dan found immense joy in the simple pleasures of life - whether it was sitting by the river, playing pickle ball or golf, hunting, road trips, or playing games with his family. His talent for baking cinnamon rolls was legendary, and his love for motorcycles and high school sporting events showed his youthful spirit and zest for life. Saturday nights were often spent enjoying popcorn and strawberry milkshakes with those he loved...or even the stranger he just met at the hardware store who looked like they needed a friend and introduction to Jesus. Dan teased his sister, embarrassed his kids and joked so much that Julie had to make a code word to ensure he knew when he went too far - "Goofy Quit!" He lived for a good prank and taught each of his kids and grandkids the proper scare "snort", ensure no one is safe from a good scare for generations to come. With every encounter, you got the full "Dan Experience" whether you were ready for it or not. He was devoted to his people and always put his family first. He was their biggest cheerleader, made them feel special, taught them to work hard and was the best example of the heart's capacity to love when it's filled with Jesus.
Dan leaves behind a legacy of joy and faith, survived by his wife Julie; his children Tyler (Jenny), Lindsey (Mike) and Jordan (April); his sister Susie (Larry); and his grandchildren Camilla, Asher, Finley, Ashlyn and all the Schaefer grand-dogs. He was preceded in death by his cherished parents, Jack and Naomi Schaefer. Dan's legacy is a testament to a life lived with purpose and a heart overflowing with love. We remember him in the words of Matthew 5:16: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Dan's light indeed shone brightly, and his good works were a testament to his unwavering faith in God.
On August 16th at 1pm we will gather at Bethel Church to remember and celebrate his life. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to sit in the main auditorium. An overflow auditorium will be available as well. If you are unable to join us in person we will provide a link to livestream.
In lieu of flowers, the Schaefers request that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to Pure Desire Ministries here: https://puredesire.givingfuel.com/give
The Schaefer family knows there are too many stories to share in one service. One way you can be a blessing to the family is being prepared to write your "Dan Schaefer Experience" on a provided card at the service and the Godly impact he had on your life. Each memory shared helps us to remember that Dan was a friend who loved richly, loved deeply, and forever touched our lives!
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