Obituary for Russell Shafer

Ponca City Now - July 15, 2022 4:48 pm

Russ Shafer

June 14, 1952 – July 14, 2022

Russell Eugene Shafer, 70, of Ponca City, OK, left this life on July 14, 2022, in Tulsa, OK. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, July 18, 2022, at the Carolyn Renfro Event Center, 445 Fairview Ave., with Reverend Tom Howard officiating. Those unable to attend the Funeral Ceremony, may attend virtually on the Trout Funeral Home website, www.troutfuneralhome.com and click on the live-stream or toolbar icon on the top right corner after 1:45 PM. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W. Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK, 74601.

Russ was born on June 14, 1952, in Ponca City, OK, to Russell Clarence and Cleo Edith (Hackney) Shafer. He was a 1970 graduate of Unity High School and a 1975 graduate from Oklahoma State University. He married Marilyn Swain on October 4, 1975, in Tulsa. Russell began working for Frontier/Heartland Federal in 1977 and spent 17 years as an accountant with them before starting a career with Ponca City Public Schools. He taught at East Middle School, then retired from Ponca City High School where he also coached baseball and softball.

Russ was a huge Oklahoma State University fan. He grew up going to OSU football games and continued to enjoy OSU sports for the rest of his life. He also loved his Saint Bernards and was often seen walking his dogs around town or playing with them at the dog park. He and Marilyn loved to travel and visited South Padre Island every year for the last 30 years. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and cheering them on in their sports.

Russ is survived by his wife, Marilyn, of the home; children, Josh Shafer and his wife, Lisa, Of Guthrie, OK, Allyson Leonard of Ponca City, OK, Corey Shafer and his wife, Jenn, of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren, JR and Cece Shafer of Guthrie, OK, Jacob, Cooper, Joleigh, Corbin and Cleo Leonard of Ponca City, OK, Nora and Townes Shafer of Charlotte, NC; sisters, Janie Shafer of San Antonio, TX, Connie Brinkman of Steamboat Springs, CO. and his dogs, Khloe and Ryleigh. He was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Po-Hi Dugout Club, P.O. Box 2577, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74602, or Northern Oklahoma Humane Society, 900 W Prospect Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Source: Trout Funeral Home