Stanley Eugene Shafer

Stanley Eugene Shafer, 93, passed away in Aurora, Colorado, surrounded by his three daughters; clear-minded and giving orders until the very end, just as you'd expect from a proud Marine.

Born in Wray, Colorado, Stan was the eldest of three children to Samuel H. and Gladys L. (Brown) Shafer. He attended Union Ridge, a one-room country school near the family's home in Laird, then went to the Laird School before graduating from Wray High School in 1950. He studied at Trinidad Community College and Colorado State University before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1952. He served in Korea as a heavy equipment operator rebuilding critical infrastructure and also served as a drill instructor at Camp Pendleton. He was honorably discharged in 1955 as a Sergeant.

Stan rarely spoke about his time in the Marines, but you could get him to talk about "Reckless," a Mongolian racehorse his unit adopted to carry artillery and wounded soldiers. He'd tell you he fed her his cornflakes. He later named a horse at home in her honor.

On April 3, 1955, Stan married Carol Jean Starnes, and they raised three daughters: Cynthia Jo, Kathleen Ann, and Terri Jean. He fostered a strong work ethic in them, different from what most girls their age might experience. He raised them driving tractors and working cattle teaching them valuable skills and independence. He often claimed they could outwork any cowboy, and while they may not have heard it from him directly, he told everyone else how proud he was of his girls.

Stan was a man who always seemed to have a plan brewing. He thought in decades when others thought in months. He was a taskmaster, yes-but one whose drive and vision earned deep respect. He was generous, welcoming, and deeply loyal to his community. He served on the RJ2 School Board, as a Yuma County Commissioner, and as President of the Colorado Council of Governments. He was a Freemason for over 50 years and a member of the Wray Elks Lodge for 57 years.

He farmed and ranched right on the family land throughout his life, raising Herefords and some quarter horses, operating a grainery and feedlot as well. He also founded LADD Enterprises and was proud to be one of the original distributors of Sartec.

Stan loved tinkering around in the barn, working on his next project, and checking the cows. After raising daughters, he relished the chance to spoil his four grandsons, taking them to Broncos and Rockies games whenever he could. He and Carol also loved attending the PRCA National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas annually, where they made lasting friendships in the stands at the Thomas and Mack.

He lost Carol in March of 2020, just shy of their 65th wedding anniversary. After that, Stan continued as best he could, with one of his final joys being when he received his brand new shiny red scooter, which he used to zip through the halls with his signature lead foot.

Stan is survived by daughters Cindy Wiley (St. Francis, KS), Kathy Goodell (Wray, CO), and Terri Walzel and husband Rodney (Conroe, TX); grandsons Dustin Wiley and wife Randi (Okemah, OK), Darin Wiley and wife Taylor (Snook, TX), Landon Goodell and wife Tiffany (Newnan, GA), and Austin Goodell (Senoia, GA); great-grandchildren Alexis Goodell (Newnan, GA) and Weston Wiley (Okemah, OK); sister Lila Jean Shafer (Scotts Bluff, NE); sister-in-law Margaret Rose (San Clemente, CA); brother-in-law Robert Starnes and wife Carol Ann (Branson, MO); and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Carol; his parents Samuel H. and Glayds L(Brown) Shafer, his sister Barbara Faye Jones, and her husband, Calvin; son-in-law Lyn E. Wiley; in-laws Ina G. and Ernest Ray Starnes; Donald Ray and Shirley Marie (Kramer) Starnes; and William Rose.

Funeral services will be held at the Wray United Methodist Church, with interment at Grandview Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Wray Veterans, Disabled Veterans (DAV), Fisher House of Aurora, Wray Masonic Lodge, or Hospice of the Plains.