Vernon Lee Shaffer

Vernon Lee Shaffer, 81, of Biloxi, passed away in Biloxi on April 23, 2012. He was the youngest and last surviving of 14 children of the late Edgar and Emma Shaffer. In 1947 he enlisted in the U.S. Army serving in occupation forces in Japan and Korea and honorably discharged in 1951. In 1955 he joined the U.S Air Force where his many tours included a year in Thailand during the Vietnam War. Vernon retired at Keesler AFB in 1971 after a cumulative 20 years of honorable service. He went on to serve 20 years of Civil Service until his retirement as Chief, Materiel Storage and Distribution at Keesler AFB in 1995.He selflessly volunteered 13 years at the Keesler Medical Center and the JL Scott Marine Education Center. He is survived by his loving wife, Dorothy Exon Shaffer of Liverpool, England; his sons, Russell (Debbie) Shaffer, David (Dinah) Shaffer and Donald (Elizabeth ) Shaffer; his daughters, Jennifer(Lee) Shaffer Grassley and Rachael (Allen) Shaffer Garner; as well as 8 grandchildren. His gentle eyes and ready smile greeted all, and he was ever there for his family. Many thanks to the compassionate staff of the Keesler Oncology Clinic in helping him wage a courageous battle with cancer. He was a member of the Faith Christian Church in Ocean Springs. In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Humane Society of South Mississippi@ (228)863-4394 ext. 103 or www.HSSM.org. Those gentle brown eyes and that smile will be dearly missed. Visitation will be Thursday, April 26, 2012 from 12:30 until 2:00 p.m. at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Pass Road, Biloxi. A procession will leave the chapel at 2:00p.m. for a 2:30 commital at the Biloxi National Cemetery with full military honors.