Gene Shafer

1939 - 2012

Gene Howard Shafer, 72, died peacefully May 22, 2012, at home with his wife by his side.
Gene was born Sept. 30, 1939, in Tacoma Park, Md. He was drafted into the Army in 1959, and served as a medic in Korea. He later attended La Sierra College in California, graduating with a degree in behavioral science. It was during this time that his daughter, Katherine, was born to his first wife, Helga. Gene worked for many years as a probation officer both in California and Alaska, retiring in 1996 after 21 years as the Northern Regional administrator for Family Services and Youth Corrections for the State of Alaska.
In 1996, Gene fell in love with and married, Virginia "Ginny" Olson. He soon began a new career as a real estate appraiser and opened his own business, Gene Shafer Appraisals. He served on the State of Alaska Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers for eight years, and was chairman of the board for four years.
Gene was a philosopher, craftsman, musician, boater, hunter and world traveler, and always loved an adventure. Whether he was visiting Washington state to spend time with his daughter and her family, or traveling to more exotic locations such as Europe, Mexico, Australia, the Caribbean or some other exotic place in the world; or enjoying family four-wheeler weekend trips to Circle Hot Springs or Summit Lake, it was always with the same boyish enthusiasm.
In recent years, Gene cherished his time at their cabin at Fairbanks Creek. Most summer weekends, he and Ginny would spend time there sitting around the campfire with family and friends. They enjoyed four-wheeling, listening to the sound of the creek and feeding the chickadees. Days on the creek often ended with Gene's guitar serenades of their favorite songs, or a friendly game of cribbage.
Gene will be remembered as a loving father, stepfather and grandfather, and by many for his quiet strength and heart as big as an ocean; as one who could be counted on for love and support, generosity and eagerness to help; for his soothing and gentle demeanor that drew in children and animals alike.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, William and Hazel Shafer.
He is survived by his wife of 16 years, Virginia "Ginny" Shafer; his daughter, Katherine (Courtney) Graff of Bothell, Wash.; stepchildren, Carl (Mary) Olson, Eric (Tami Sheehan) Olson, and Amy Olson all of Fairbanks; grandchildren, Alexandra Graff of Bothell, Wash.; Christian Gibbons of Honolulu; Heather and Evan Olson, Tommy and Kelli Casey all of Fairbanks; sister, Ruth Daily of Loma Linda, Calif., and brothers, Vernon Shafer of College Place, Wash., and Glen Shafer.
A memorial and celebration of life will be held at 4 p.m., Friday, June 1, 2012, at the Elks Lodge No. 1551, Antler Room, 1003 Pioneer Road, Fairbanks.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent in his honor to Fairbanks Youth Advocates, "The Door" program. Visit www.fairbanksyouthadvocates.org for more information on how to donate.