Lance Meritt Shaffer, 71, of Boulder, passed away surrounded by family on Sept. 9, 2018. Born to Clinton and Sylvia Shaffer in Henderson, Nev., on April 22, 1947, Lance was a beloved son, husband, father, brother, papa, gramps, mentor and friend.
A spiritual man with strong convictions, Lance was a rare individual of character and strength; a true southern gentleman who was loved by all. In return, Lance loved his family, friends and fellow man. Lance was an outdoorsman who loved to fish and hunt, a passion he instilled into the generations that will follow. He loved the outdoors so much he made Boulder his home for 38 years. He touched many lives and all that knew him have their own special memories to cherish.
A graduate of Hillcrest High School, in Dalzell, S.C., and Texas A&M University, Lance crafted a well-respected career in geology as an independent consultant.
Lance was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Jean Shaffer; his parents, Clinton and Sylvia Shaffer; daughter, Cathleen Jennings; and grandson, Jeremiah L.
Lance is survived by brother, Richard Paul Shaffer; sister, Ellen Shaffer (Ralph) Block; daughter, Tammy (Cecil); son-in-law, Ronnie Jennings; three grandsons, Craig Abernathy (Annette Corgan), Jesse Lamoureux (Maria Bey) and Michael (Carly) Johansson; five granddaughters, Shannon (Ryan) Coston, Corie (Jeremy) Ferguson, Jamie Johansson, Terie Bandy and Ashley Jennings; seventeen great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren; extended family, Dennis Lamoureux (Lorelei) – Greg, Sue, Megan, Jared, Amber and Marissa Olson – and Mike Brady and Carole Yunker; as well as countless other family members and friends.
Lance will be laid to rest at the Long Prairie Cemetery in Kerens, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that memorials be made in his name to one of the following: the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, Calif., 90266; The Long Prairie Cemetery Association, P. O. Box 155, Powell, Texas, 75153; or to the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets General Scholarship Fund at Texas A&M Foundation, 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, Texas, 77840.
The family would like to express special thanks to Sean, Diane, Terrie, Jeff, Kimberly and Dr. Douglas K. Rovira at Valley View Hospital, Dr. Steven Zeiler with Glenwood Medical Associates, Dr. Martin McCarter and Dr. Stephen Leong at UCH, and the extended family and friends who have provided Lance with encouragement and support during the past 2-1/2 years.
A Celebration of Lance’s life will be conducted in Boulder, on Oct. 20, at the Boulder Community Center, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Another Celebration of Lance's life is planned in Kerens (or Corsicana), Texas, on Oct. 27. n
