Raymond Theodore Shaefer

1947 - 2024

Raymond Theodore Shaefer

April 23, 1947 - July 18, 2024

Dallas, Oregon - Raymond Theodore Shaefer passed away unexpectedly in his home on July 18, 2024 at the age of seventy-seven. He was born April 23, 1947, in Jefferson City, Missouri, the son of William E. and Agnes Shaefer. He graduated Jefferson City High School in 1965 and University of Missouri School of Mines at Rolla in 1969.

He married Rita Gaylord in 1969. They made their home in Olympia, Washington where they raised three children; their daughter Esther "Angela" Marie Carlson, and their sons Ethan Theodore and Elliot James.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in civil engineering, he worked for 31 years for the Washington State Department of Transportation, designing bridges. It was a job he thoroughly loved. After retiring in 2000, he continued his education by taking accounting courses, then enjoyed several years working as a tax accountant. After that, he was employed by the South Puget Sound Community College, where he taught basic accounting for several more years. Topping off Raymond's work career, he and one of his sons purchased and operated a Pizza Time franchise.

While he was an avid enjoyer of books and mathematics, Raymond was very athletic. He had a passion for hiking and backpacking on the mountain trails of Washington State, running marathons and long-distance biking. He also coached his son's soccer and Special Olympic teams. At home, he enjoyed adding to his coin collection and tracking his family's genealogy.

In 2017 he and his wife moved to Dallas, Oregon to enjoy life in a retirement community where he often said he was "further evolving" by learning how to play the game of Bridge, line dancing and participating in many other resident activities. He cared deeply for all the new friends he made during the nearly 7 years he lived there.

Raymond is survived by his wife of 55 years, his three children and three grandchildren, all of whom he was so very proud and dearly loved.

A celebration of life will be held August 17, 2024, in Dallas, Oregon. The Resurrection Cemetery in Jefferson City, Missouri will be his final resting place.