Lawrence Golden Shaffer

Larry was born December 31, 1939 in Raymond City West Virginia to Francis and Mary Shaffer and was one of five siblings. He spent his entire childhood in scenic West Virginia. Larry was accepted into the United States Naval Reserves in South Charleston, West Virginia in 1957 and went through basic training at Bainbridge, Maryland. Shortly after returning home after basic training he joined the Air Force. The Navy reserves told Larry that he couldn't do that and Larry's reply was "Yes I can, because I've already done it." Just a few weeks later (1958) he left for basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Bexar County, Texas. From there he went to Chanute Air Force Base in Champaign County, Illinois where he was trained as an aircraft mechanic on the B52 bomber. Following that assignment he was stationed in Mississippi in the 4228th Strategic Bomb Wing and attained the rank of Airman 2nd Class. He was scheduled to be discharged in June of 1961 but because of the Berlin crisis which resulted in the construction of the Berlin wall, he was involuntary extended and served an additional year. He received an honorable discharge in 1962. He met and married Thomasina and to that union Troy and Denise were born. Following his career at Boeing Larry followed his passion of service to our country and applied as a Law Enforcement Officer with the Seattle Police department in 1969. He would spend the next 30 years and one day (he wanted that extra day to make SURE he was recorded as a full 30 years) serving and protecting the citizens of Seattle, working all precincts and finally retiring from the North Precinct. He had two more sons; Scott and Shawn with his second wife Barbara. Before he retired, he met and married the love of his life, Joan while stopping in for a cup of coffee during his workday. Joan happened to be in the coffee shop at the same time as him and 25 years of marriage followed. Joan and her son Jesse enjoyed many family outings with Larry and his boy’s Scott and Shawn exploring the Northwest. They went fishing, camping and visited various landmarks, played baseball and panned for gold. Later when all of the kids were grown up and moved out of the house Joan and Larry relocated to Camano where relaxation was their focus and he was able to write a book about his life. He enjoyed these quiet moments. Although the last couple of his years were tough fighting illness he still found strength to get out and about with Joan.

He adored all of his children and grandchildren and was very proud of all of them. Some of his talents and passions included lifelong learning, woodworking, photography, music and exploring. His children and grandchildren inherited many of these traits. His humor, kindness and generosity will also live on through them.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his best friend and longtime partner on the beat, Larry Sutton. Best known as “The Larry and Larry Show”.

He leaves behind his beloved wife Joan, his children; Troy Shaffer, Denise Shaffer, Scott Shaffer (Yuka), Shawn Shaffer (Sarah) and step son Jesse Williams, his siblings; Michael Shaffer, Kathy Shaffer, Connie Bays, and Mark Shaffer. His grandchildren; Jessica, Justin, Stephanie, Jacob, Ayani and Arianna. He will be deeply missed.