Curtis Eugene Shaver

He was born on January 7, 1940 to Jesse and Gertie Shaver in High Point, North Carolina.

Gene graduated from Manatee High School in Bradenton, Florida in 1957.

That November, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and completed his basic training in San Diego, CA. There he had the opportunity to attend the Class "A" Marine Electrician School. In May of 1958, Gene began serving on Submarine tender and Diesel submarines throughout Key West, FL and Charleston, SC. In 1961, he completed Class "B" Advanced Marine Electrician School in Great Lakes, IL. Two years later, he completed Nuclear Power Engineering School in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Then, he went on to complete the Submarine School in Groton, CT. From May of 1964 to December of 1966, Gene spent his time travelling and serving on Nuclear Submarines in Charleston, SC, Rota, Spain, and Holy Loch, Scotland.

Gene went back to Great Lakes, IL in January of 1967 where he served as the Recruit Company Commander at their Recruit Training Command for 2 years.

In 1970, Gene completed the Small Craft Engineering and Operations School in San Diego, CA.

During the Vietnam War, Gene spent one year (July 1970-1971) in Danang, Vietnam as a Boat Captain and Maintenance Chief on River Patrol Squadron. He also served 3 years in Subic Bay, Philippines in the same role.

From 1971 - 1974, Gene was on the USS Constellation (CVA-64).

In July of 1977, Chief Petty Officer Shaver retired from the U.S. Navy, after spending his final 3 years as a Boat Captain and Maintenance Chief in New Orleans, Louisiana.

After retiring, Gene continued to travel and work as an electrician and Captain of many boats in FL, LA, MD, VA, The Bahamas, Singapore, Thailand, Southeast Asia, and the Persian Gulf. He completed his Chapman's School of Seamanship in Stuart, FL in 1980 and his 300 ton Master/Mate School in New Orleans in 1982, and was eventually licensed as 500 ton Master. His last duty assignment was the COSRIVDIV 22, NSA in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Other awards that Chief Petty Officer Shaver received during his service in the Navy are the: 4th Good Conduct Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Service Medal, Navy Expert Pistol Medal, Small Craft Insignia, and the Navy Rifle Sharpshooter Ribbon.

Gene married his wife, Luzviminda, on January 19, 2016. He is survived by her, his siblings Billy L. Shaver, Anita Shaver, Brenda Pritchett, Janice Shealy, and his son Kenneth L. Shaver, 9 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.

He is predeceased in death by his parents, his brother Norman Shaver, and his daughter Kimberly.

He will be fondly remembered by his friends and family for his hard work and accomplished service in the United States Navy.