Bobby "Ralph" Shaver

Bobby Shaver, 69, passed away, Friday, March 11, 2011, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital in Houston. He was born January 3, 1942 in Bristol, Tennessee. Bobby lived in Bacliff since 1966, residing on 6th Street since 1970.

Bobby proudly served his country in the United States Army, an Infantry soldier with awards in marksmanship. He served during the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis and civil unrest in southern states. He loved to hunt and fish and grew up as a country boy in the hills and mountains of Tennessee. He relished times spent with his family and friends in the woods and on the river.

Bobby worked as a fender and body man for over 35 years at various dealerships and spent many hours in his own garage at home. It was common that dealerships tried to lure him from one place to another because of his outstanding craftsmanship. He enjoyed time spent as a Little League coach. He spent many hours over a bar-b-que pit for charities and personal and community benefits. Bobby’s family and many friends were always there to help, because he was always eager to be there for them. He was quoted as saying that it took years to get there, but he finally was able to sit on the back porch and wave at his neighbors and friends as they went by, or stopped to visit. The world is changed and he will be missed.

Bobby is preceded in death by his father, Sylvester Vernon Shaver, his mother, Margie Lee Boling Shaver, three siblings, Evelyn Janelle Shaver, Laura Rosenbaum, Clive Shaver, and a grandson, Michael Ryan Shaver.

Bobby “Ralph” is survived by his wife of almost 45 years, Fredericka “Ricki” Sue Shaver, his boys Bobby Jr. “Scooter”, and Paul Gene. Bobby is also survived by his brother George Elbert Shaver of Bristol, Tn., sisters Mary Ritchie of Booneville, Ar., Betty Kuehn of Radcliff, Ky., Ann Smith of Sebring, Fl. and Susie Smith of Bristol, Tn., grandchildren Jonathan Gregory, Cody Allen, Nicholas Sylvester, Jordan Elizabeth, Meagan Darlene, and Brandon Allen Shaver; four great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A visitation will be held at Forest Park East Funeral Home on Thursday, March 17th from 6:00-8:00 PM. A funeral service will be held at the League City United Methodist Church at 1411 W. Main, League City, Friday, March 18th at 2:30 PM, with burial following at Forest Park East Cemetery. A celebration of Bobby’s life will be shared at the Bacliff VFW Post 8566 on FM 646 following his burial. Please join us.