Sandeford J. Schaeffer Jr.

Dr. Sandeford Julius Schaeffer, Jr., 89, passed away this Friday in the company of his family. He was born on November 25th, 1921, to Lillian Geneva Howard Schaeffer and Sandeford Julius Schaeffer, Sr. Dr. Schaeffer grew up in Capleville, TN, the eldest of six children (brothers: Carroll, Tim, Howard, Robert; sister: Helen). He was a master of many trades, working as a railroad clerk and serving in World War II before graduating from University of Tennessee with a Medical Doctorate. He served as a military doctor in England and Germany, before opening up his own Family Medicine practice in Whitehaven and then Memphis. Across his life, he was also devoted to the land, helping to care for his family’s livestock as a child and later conserving and recultivating farmland in Mississippi. Dr. Schaeffer was always full of curiosity and engaged in experiencing life. He enjoyed flying planes, sailing, waterskiing, planting trees, playing classical guitar, and making his own wine and beer. He was a Master Wine Taster of Memphis Wine Taster’s Club and a deacon at Whitehaven Presbyterian Church. Above all, Dr. Schaeffer was a dedicated husband and father, always focused on taking care of his family, including his wife of 57 years, the late Mrs. Carolyn Dale Schaeffer. His dedication to serving others and his appreciation of the natural world continues in his five children, nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren: son, Sandeford “Sandy” J. Schaeffer, III (wife, Beth); daughters Sandra Trail (husband, Ray), Susan Schaeffer, Julie Schaeffer, and Lane Bouzeid; grandchildren, Kim and Karen Trail, Geoffrey and Noelle Goodin, Emily, Michael, and Katie Schaeffer, and Maria and Kari Bouzeid; and great-grandchildren Haley, Jessica, Garrett, Jordan, and Andrew. Dr. Schaeffer’s visitation will be held Friday from 5 - 8 p.m. at Memphis Funeral Home on Poplar Ave., with funeral services Saturday at 10 a.m. at Balmoral Presbyterian Church on Quince Rd. and graveside services following at Bethlehem Cemetery. Please send donations in memory of Dr. S. J. Schaeffer to Page Robbins Adult Day Care Center or Baptist Trinity Hospice House, both located in Collierville, TN.