George "Pops" Elliott Shaver

“Pops” retired as a Fire Captain for the City of Garland with 37 years of service. George worked at several fire stations in Garland, the two that he was at the longest being the station on Broadway, and the other on Shiloh Rd.

He was known as “Pops” by everyone. He was given the name, “Pops,” because of an old, old truck he drove to the fire station. This old, rundown blue truck resembled Fred Sanford’s junk yard truck. By the end of his career, some of the firemen didn’t even know his real name.

He was born at home in De Kalb, Texas on November 2, 1930 to Calvin and Myrtie Shaver. George was one of eight children. He grew up and worked on the family farm, and once raised a calf that won 1st place at the county fair. We loved hearing stories of life on the farm. He was the captain of his high school football team, and later attended the University of Oklahoma, where he worked as a house boy in a Sorority House. He claimed it was the best job he ever had! George also spent a short time in the U.S. Navy as an Aviation Electrician.

George married his high school sweetheart, Mona Cunningham, and they remained married for almost 66 years, until Mona’s passing in October of this year. They enjoyed a long and wonderful life with each other, travelling to Europe, Canada, Alaska, Mexico, and Hawaii, and are now together again.

George and Mona moved to Dallas in 1950 with very few possessions. They lived in Oak Cliff, and in 1952 bought their first home in Pleasant Grove, where they raised their two sons, Michael and Stephen. When the boys were grown they moved to Buckner Terrace. Later they both moved to an Assisted Senior Living facility in Garland, where George made so many new friends, and spoke highly of the nurses that cared for the two of them. After Mona left to go to Heaven, George said he wanted to move back home.

George and Mona were members of Bethany Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon. After he retired from the fire department, he enjoyed doing work at and for the church. He was so well loved that they gave him his own parking space.

George was blessed with five grandchildren, David, Colton, Chad, Blake, and his only granddaughter, Jamie Leilani. He has three beautiful great-granddaughters Clementine, Sophia, and Olivia. He spoke highly of his grandchildren, how tall all of her grandsons were, what they have accomplished, and always harbored his hopes that they would follow him as a fireman.

George was a well-liked man who would help anyone who needed it. He was a kind and gentle man who you would rarely see get angry. He was always there when his family needed him. He has instilled in the Shaver Family the importance of keeping together and being there for each other.

George had stayed strong through his son Michael’s passing in July, and then again as his beloved Mona fell ill and passed away three months later in October, all the while he was battling cancer. He never complained of the pain he was having, and he was determined to keep driving until Steve took away his keys. The only thing he ever asked for was his favorite Filipino dish.

George was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mona Shaver; son, Michael and his wife Loree Shaver; and granddaughter, Jamie Leilani.

He is survived by his son, Stephen and his wife Christine Shaver; his four grandsons; three great-granddaughters; sisters, Kathryn Browning, Patsy Westbrook, and Frances Miko; brother, Merrill Harkey; several nieces, nephews, and extended family members; as well as an endless number of friends.

Visitation will be Friday, December 4, 2015 from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Grove Hill Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be Saturday, December 5, 2015 at 12:00 P.M. at Bethany Baptist Church, and will be followed by Interment at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Dallas, TX, where Funeral Honors will be rendered by both the U.S. Navy and the Garland Fire Department.