Joe C. Shafer, Jr.

Joe Clarence Shafer, Jr. passed away in San Antonio, Texas August 16, 2023. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joe Clarence Shafer, Sr., and Rosa Hernandez, and his brother William (Willie) Shafer. Joe is survived by his wife, Leticia Perez-Shafer. They were weeks shy of celebrating their 61st wedding anniversary this September 2, 1962. This summer, Joe and Leticia enjoyed their annual family trip to South Padre Island, stopping at the San Juan Basilica to light candles and give thanks for their blessings throughout the year. Joe is survived by his children, Joe C. Shafer, III, Debra Joy Brawley, Katherine Jo Montalvo, and Karen Joyce Shafer, and grandchildren, Jose Alberto Lara, Amira Van Leeuwen, Andrea Montalvo, and Samantha Montalvo, and numerous relatives inside Del Rio, Uvalde, San Antonio, Ft. Worth and Phoenix, Arizona. Joe grew up in Del Rio and graduated from the old San Felipe High School in 1960. While in high school, he, with his father, Clarence, and brother, Willie, owned a house painting business, contracting with Laughlin AFB and many community businesses. Soon after marrying Lety, he joined the Army during the Vietnam Era, where he quickly advanced in rank to include graduating from the NCO Academy while stationed in Alaska, and receiving numerous honors and certificates before his honorable discharge in 1965. Years after, he also enjoyed working in Customs with the United States Border Patrol at the Port of Entry in Del Rio, San Antonio, and McAllen. After retirement, he also enjoyed his civil service jobs at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio and the National Parks Service in Del Rio. Joe attended Sul Ross State University in Alpine, earning his bachelor’s degree in industrial arts. He continued his studies at Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, where he completed his Texas teaching certification requirements. As a college student, he also found time between studies to travel to Del Rio and work part-time at the Del Rio Motor Company with his uncle-in-law (Mr. Alfredo Carranza) and at the Siesta Motel as a night-time auditor. As his first teaching assignment was with Northside ISD in San Antonio, he would leave Del Rio each Monday morning to teach at Pat Neff Middle School and return to his family in Del Rio every Friday evening. While at Pat Neff, he contributed his drafting and building talents to add a variety of structures to accommodate students’ needs. (He also enjoyed teaching drafting classes at night at Durham College in San Antonio.) In 1976-1977, Shafer returned to Del Rio, where he was hired by San Felipe Del Rio CISD as the Distributive Education Coordinator for Del Rio High School with the responsibility of placing students to work within the community, encouraging them with his favorite motto his family lives by today, “work hard and finish the job.” His family was everything to him, and he prioritized always being present at each of their events while they were growing up. He attended every ballet recital his three daughters performed in when they attended Beverly’s School of Dance. He also proudly gave each daughter a memorable quinceaña. He encouraged his son, Joe III, beginning when he was four years old, with soccer and later as one of the original soccer players at Del Rio High School. In between regular school practices and games, Joe would drive Joe III to weekend club soccer practices in San Antonio and travel to different parts of the country for various soccer tournaments, such as the Jr. Olympics in Florida or out of the country in European soccer competitions. He encouraged and supported his daughters with the Queen City Belles and their fundraisers, Del Rio twirling camps in summer, and the Rainbow for Girls, an affiliate of the Huisache Masonic Lodge in San Antonio. Joe and Leticia continued to support each of their children’s chosen professions and proudly watched and participated in each of their grandchildren’s activities. Joe and Leticia retired from teaching in 2007 after 30+ years each of teaching experience. Joe enjoyed creating/building home projects and keeping up with his dog, his decades-long companion, Blue Boy. Joe and Leticia also enjoyed trips to their ranch outside Del Rio to hunt and picnic with family and friends. Joe made his children’s dreams possible with his vision of empowering each one with numerous experiences and an education. He was a loving family man and friend to all who knew him. As his grandchildren described their Grampy, “he was the most kind, generous, compassionate, loving, inspiring, smart, innovative, creative, intelligent and hardworking man.” Joe will be truly missed. The family wishes to thank Davita in San Antonio and all VA personnel who cared for him through the years at Brooks Army Medical Center (BAMC), Lackland AFB, and Audie Murphey Hospital. A Religious Blessing will be held on Saturday, September 2, 2023 at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Westlawn Cemetery. Military honors will be rendered by the United States Army. The family wishes to thank Davita in San Antonio and all VA personnel who cared for him through the years at Brooks Army Medical Center (BAMC), Lackland AFB, and Audie Murphey Hospital.

Joe C. Shafer, Jr.

September 1, 1940 - August 16, 2023