James Lundy Shaffer
June 18, 1926 - March 01, 2018
Laguna Woods CA
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James Lundy Shaffer
June 18, 1926 - March 01, 2018
Laguna Woods CA
Obituary
Big Man on the Road. Commander in chief. Beloved father. Published author. These are just some of the many titles acquired over the years by Jim Shaffer. A longtime Laguna Woods resident and World War II veteran, he died at the age of 91 on March 1, 2018.
Born James Lundy Shaffer in Terre Haute, Indiana, in 1926, he served as a US Army staff sergeant (1st Cavalry Division) in charge of a radio operator school outside Tokyo. He attended Indiana State College (1946-47) and graduated from Indiana University in 1949 with a B.A. in zoology. A traveling salesman for many years in the Midwest, he eventually settled in Miami and became a regional manager at Ashland Oil and Chemical Company. After retiring, he worked as a substitute teacher in South Florida and Orange County schools.
In 1989, Jim published “Peterbilt to Laredo,” a novel about a desperate driver and a mysterious truck. In addition to writing fiction, memoirs, newspaper and magazine articles, and essays about modern life, he loved taking photographs, collecting offbeat decorative items, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Since moving to Laguna Woods in 1998, Jim served as commander in chief of American Legion Post 257; president of the Saddleback Kiwanis; and a board member of the Community Civic Association. In 2000, he founded the popular social club TGIF (Thank God It’s Friday), a weekly event featuring live music and dancing still going strong at Clubhouse 2. Jim’s community activism, which also included flipping pancakes for Kiwanis fundraisers and collecting donations for the school at Camp Pendleton, earned him the title Honoree of the Month from the Laguna Woods Historical Society in 2009.
Known and loved for his quirky sense of humor as well as his compassion and civic-minded spirit, Jim liked to send cards and letters with funny lines and poems. The words that will be inscribed on his grave capture a sense of that humor: “See You Later.”
Survivors include his daughters Diana and Gina; son-in-law Julian Spencer; ex-wife Teresa Muñoz Shaffer (a Havana native who inspired Jim’s fondness for Cuban culture); nephews Brent and Scott Shapiro; and girlfriend Judy Di Lallo.
Visitation
- Date & Time: March 10, 2018 (7:00 PM - 9:00 PM)
- Venue: O'Connor Mortuary
- Location: 25301 Alicia Parkway Laguna Hills, CA 92653 - (Get Directions)
- Phone Number: (949) 581-4300
Funeral Service
- Date & Time: March 11, 2018 (10:00 AM)
- Venue: O'Connor Mortuary
- Location: 25301 Alicia Parkway Laguna Hills, CA 92653 - (Get Directions)
- Phone Number: (949) 581-4300
Graveside Service
- Date & Time: March 11, 2018 (11:30 AM)
- Venue: El Toro Memorial Park
- Location: 25751 Trabuco Road Lake Forest, CA 92630 - (Get Directions)
- Phone Number: (949) 951-9102
Reception
- Date & Time: March 11, 2018 (1:00 PM)
- Venue: Village Greens
- Location: 24122 Moulton Parkway Laguna Woods, CA 92637 - (Get Directions)
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15 responses to James Lundy Shaffer
Councilmember Joe Rainey says:
March 8, 2018
Rest In Peace, my friend. I will miss you very much. I cherish the times together when we helped the least of these in our community. You lifted my spirits many times with your wit and humor and I will always be grateful for your friendship.
sandra chandler says:
March 8, 2018
So sad to hear of Jim’s passing.I remember whenJim,Gina,Diana and Teresa came to Palm Springs to visit us at our hotel.We were so lonely out there and we had such a good time together as we had so many other times.Jim was so funny and easy to talk to and we were always so happy to see him and the family.Jim was family oriented and loved his daughters dearly.He believed in taking care of his family and that’s what we will always remember about him.Jim will be missed.Our deepest sympathy to Gina, Diana and Teresa Sandra and Mel Chandler
Sunshine Lutey says:
March 8, 2018
Sunshine Lutey and David Hartman — with fond memories
Brent, Scott and Abbe Shapiro says:
March 9, 2018
Dear Uncle Jim,
What can a nephew of the greatest “Uncle” ever say? Thank you! Thank you for being a light in all of our lives. Jone and Burt, my mother and father, adored you as did my brother and I. In fact all of my childhood friends always enjoyed and always had kind things to say about you every time you came to visit Indianapolis, Indiana from sunny Florida. Thank you for showing me what a great sense of humor looks like. Thank you for the great times and conversations we have had over the years. Thank you for your heroic service to your country during WWII. Uncle Jim, you lived an amazing and creative life and touched everyone that crossed your path. You will always be loved, missed and remembered.
LESLIE GIBOLA says:
March 9, 2018
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. May God provide strength and healing hearts as time passes. Sincerely WWith care The Adapt 2 It Family