Lewis Frank Shaffer

Lewis Frank Shaffer, 80, longtime resident of Azle, passed on to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, with his family by his side. Visitation: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Monday, July 16, 2018, at White’s Funeral Home in Azle (105 Denver Trail) Funeral Service: 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, at First Baptist Church of Azle (1017 Boyd Road) Interment: Following the funeral at Ash Creek Cemetery in Azle (310 South Stewart Street) Lew was born on October 29, 1937, in Altoona, Pennsylvania, to Glen and Zelma Shaffer. Lew was the oldest of three sons, all of whom graduated from Otterbein College and also went into the U.S. Air Force. Lew married Sandy Minser on June 7, 1960. They were blessed with three children, all boys—Steve, David, and Tim. Lew and Sandy accepted God’s gift of salvation as young adults, and. their lives were transformed. In 1977 Air Force Lt. Col. Ted Platt co-founded Son Shine Ministries with Lew. Lew would not retire from the military until 1981, but the fledgling ministry team headed out most weekends to churches or military chapels to present The Christian Home Seminar. After gratefully serving his country for twenty-two years, Lew retired as a lieutenant colonel. In 1981 Son Shine Ministries moved to the Azle area. Lew, Sandy, Ted, and his wife, Barbara, traveled the world presenting seminars for all branches of the military and nearly all Christian denominations. Lew’s outreach could be seen and heard on radio, audio recordings, numerous seminars, retreats, one-year discipleship courses, and prison ministry (including San Quentin’s Death Row). Lew also founded Follow the Flag, which has become Azle’s 4th of July Celebration (now drawing about 6,000). In 1987 while conducting ministry in Virginia, Lew suffered a massive stroke that nearly took his life. By God’s grace, Lew gained limited use of his right side, and against strong odds, even was able to walk and talk again. The impact of the stroke was noticeable, but it did not stop Lew. In many ways, this began a new mission for him—one of reaching out to all people with the love of Jesus. Lew has authored numerous books—the most recent being a two-book series he and his wife compiled called Reach Out Your Hand, which included inspirational stories of God’s care of people in challenging and everyday situations. After Lew’s stroke he always wanted to be out with people. He and Sandy would visit people nearly every day, encouraging them. They also began rotating their attendance among the Azle churches, encouraging the pastors each week. Uniquely, Lew also set up shop at Azle’s Chicken Express where he would write letters of encouragement and visit with people. Soon Lew’s “yellow letters with a stick of Juicy Fruit Gum” became a special, identifiable, and cherished source of hope and love for hundreds. Lew loved well. He loved his country. He loved those who served in Son Shine Ministries. He loved pastors and ministry leaders. He loved his community. He loved the forgotten and the hurting. If he knew you, he loved you unconditionally. Lew loved his family and cherished the time he could spend with them. His wife, Sandy, of fifty-eight years was the great love of his life, and their partnership was a beautiful example of steadfast love. Most of all, Lew deeply loved Jesus. Lew was preceded in death by his parents, Glen and Zelma Shaffer; and his great granddaughter, Mirielle Stark. Lew is survived by his wife, Sandy Shaffer; sons, Steve Shaffer and his wife, Joan Shaffer; David Shaffer and his wife, Daniele Shaffer; and Tim Shaffer; grandchildren, Jordan Stark and her husband, Bryon Stark; Dylan Shaffer and his wife, Megan Shaffer; Nathaniel Shaffer and his wife, Gabrielle Shaffer; and Jonathan Shaffer; great grandchildren, Malachi Shaffer and Caribelle Stark; brothers, Glen Shaffer and his wife, Kathy Shaffer; and Alan Shaffer, and his wife, Patsy Shaffer; and a host of beloved nephews, nieces, and relatives. Memorial Gifts may be made in honor of Lew Shaffer to the ministry he co-founded—Son Shine Ministries (Online: equipfamilies.org, By Mail: Son Shine Ministries; PO Box 456; Azle, TX 76098).