Ronald Max Shaffer

Ronald Max Shaffer departed this life peacefully on Friday, November 1, 2024, at the Craig Nursing Home in Amarillo, Texas at the age of 83 after a lengthy illness.

Ron was born on October 30, 1941, in Concord, California to Jonathan Lee Shaffer and Marjorie Jean Lane Shaffer and raised in southwest Missouri. He loved spending summers at his Grandma and Grandpa Lane’s farm working and getting into mischief with his aunts and same age uncles.

Ron graduated from Hillcrest High School in Springfield, Missouri in 1959 and married his high school sweetheart Evelyn Kay Reynolds soon after. They had three children. Ron enlisted in the Navy and proudly served on the USS Shangri-La during the Cuban Missile Crisis. After his honorable discharge, he worked at the Post Office before moving with the family to Omaha, Nebraska, where he started a 30-year career at Montgomery Ward. Ron began as a tire salesman and was promoted several times, moving from Omaha to Joplin and Kansas City, Missouri, to North Richland Hills, Amarillo, and Abilene, Texas; then on to Baton Rouge and Lake Charles, Louisiana, and Houston, Texas. He finally landed back as store manager in Amarillo.

He met and married Susan Griffin in Abilene and raised two more children. They moved to Amarillo in 1988. After Montgomery Ward closed, Ron taught himself how to work on and repair computers and ran a small business for family and friends in his workshop for many years.

Ron enjoyed playing golf at the Canyon Country Club, antiquing, watching NASCAR, and trips to casinos.

Ron is preceded in death by his parents and his sister Joyce Lynn Haymes. He is survived by spouse Susan; daughter Debi Quiroga (Tommy) of Euless, Texas; sons Wade Shaffer (Monica) of Amarillo, and Randy Shaffer (Jackie) of Southlake, Texas; former wife Kay Shaffer of Fort Worth; daughter Courtney Griffin (Shelly) of Allen, Texas; son Keith Griffin of Allen, Texas; brother Steve Shaffer (Linda) of Springfield, Missouri; sister Kathy Brown (Jay) of Greenfield, Missouri; grandchildren Andrew Shaffer, Seth Shaffer (Rose) Sara Herrera (Octavio), Hannah Shaffer (Dana), Maddie Quiroga, one great grandchild; best friend Jack Pippin (Alice) of Joplin, Missouri, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

We would like to thank the Amarillo VA staff for the outstanding care he received as a veteran. It was the absolute best. We also thank the nurses and caregivers at Accent Hospice Care for their excellent care and for always wanting the best for him. Ron enjoyed Chaplain Larry’s visits, songs and prayers. Thanks to special caregiver Lauren, who took daily care of Ron; he loved you.

Ron will be cremated, and a memorial service is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 16th at the Rector Funeral Home, 2800 S. Osage in Amarillo. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Amarillo Veteran’s Hospital and/or to Accent Hospice Care.

Thanks to all our friends for their prayers for Ron. The family loves and appreciates you all.