John Ghormley Schaffer, 91 of Portland OR, passed away on Wednesday, July 3, 2019. He was born on October 19, 1927 in Corvallis, Oregon to Bauthis and Etta (Ghormley) Schaffer. John served on the USS Chelub as a veteran of the US Navy. He attended Oregon State and transferred to Western Oregon College, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education on June 4, 1952 before receiving his Master of Science in Education on June 12, 1959, also from Western Oregon College. John married Patricia Anne Caldwell on February 3, 1951 in Portland, Oregon.
John worked as a principal, teacher and educator from 1951 until his retirement in 1980 as an Assistant Superintendent. John continued teaching, and was quite accomplished at skiing and swimming, with the butterfly being his specialty. He also enjoyed gardening and hiking and climbed Mt. Hood seven times.
John is survived by his wife Pat Schaffer of Portland OR; daughters Sandra Leibham of The Dalles OR and Lori Schaffer of Gresham OR; sons Tom Schaffer (Kathy) of Oahu HI and Scott Schaffer (Connie) of Estacada OR; grandchildren Eric Head, Scott Head, Tanya Schaffer, Nicole Schaffer, Joshua Schaffer and Karline Schaffer and great grandchildren Soloman Head, Mosea Head, Oney Head and Kanekoa Aiwohi.
A Celebration of John’s Life will be held on Friday, September 20, 2019 at 11:00am at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home, 520 W. Powell Blvd in Gresham, Oregon. Private interment at Willamette National Cemetery. Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Charity of One’s Choice.
