Thomas Lee Schafer

Resident of Odessa, WA, passed away December 21, 2024 in Spokane, WA. Tom was born November 15, 1949 in Spokane, WA to Roland and Verna Schafer. Tom grew up in Odessa and graduated from Odessa High School in 1968. Tom married Lynette Spies on March 24, 1969 in Odessa, WA. After serving in the U.S. Army National Guard for 6 years, Tom began his successful farming career and established S-5 Farms, Inc. In his later working years, Tom established and operated Rocky Coulee Brewing Company in 2002.

He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church, Odessa Athletic Hall of Fame Committee, Odessa Gun Club, and served as a board member for the Odessa Grange Supply, the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, and was a volunteer firefighter for the Grant County Fire Dept. Tom loved sports. He was an accomplished athlete in football, basketball, and track and was inducted into the Odessa Athletics Hall of Fame in 2021. He shared his passion for sports by coaching Jr. high and high school basketball for several years. He was an enthusiastic promoter of the Odessa area through his work at Rocky Coulee Brewing Co. and working with the Stumpjumper Motorcycle Club to bring the Desert 100 to the Odessa area.

Tom was a big supporter of all his kids’ and grandkids’ activities. He loved to tell jokes and was known in the community for his kind and generous heart. Some of his fondest memories were boating with friends and family, fishing, hunting and watching his children and grandchildren grow.

Tom is survived by his wife Lynette at the home, three children: Kelly (and Larry) Weber, Kolby (and Krystel) Schafer and Zachery (and Katie) Schafer and his nine grandchildren: Cade (and Zoe), Carsen and Camden Weber, Brayton, Adyson, Kellan and Keegan Schafer, and Dottie and Rollie Schafer. His sister, Carla (and Robert) Miller and several nieces, nephews and dear friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Roland and Verna Schafer. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Friday, January 17, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Christ Lutheran Church, 602 E. Amende Dr., Odessa, WA with Pastor Travis Powers, officiating. Memorials may be made to the Christ Lutheran Church or the Odessa Athletic Booster Club, PO Box 7, Odessa, WA 99159. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.strate-funeral.com for the Schafer family. STRATE FUNERAL HOME, DAVENPORT, WA is caring for the family.