Arthur "Jack" Shafer

Arthur Jack Shafer, 87, passed away Wednesday, November 4, 2020. Jack was born March 4, 1933 to Arthur Estelle and Kate South Shafer in Jackson, Mississippi. He graduated from Central High and went on to study engineering at Mississippi State in Starkville, Mississippi. Jack started his flying career with the National Guard in Alabama. He flew eight years for them. Ralph Bourne talked Jack into coming to Texas to fly helicopters for Southern Airways. He stayed there for six years and then went to American Airlines. He flew everything American had and the 747 was his last plane to fly before he had to retire. The retirement age at American was sixty. He flew 28 years with American and loved every minute. While at Southern Airways he met Marilyn, the love of his life, and they were married for 58 years. They had four children, Drs. Jan and David Morgan, Mac Shafer, Scott and Cindy Shafer, and David Shafer, who preceded Jack in death.