Greg Shaffer

Greg Shaffer was born on November 19, 1975 as a whopping 11 pound newborn to his proud parents, Doug Shaffer and Libby Alexander. Family lore holds that he was due on Halloween; the almost three weeks of extra time between his due date and birthdate meant that he was nearly the size of a three month old at birth. Perhaps that original tardiness drove his sense of punctuality? He hated to be late. Two years later, Greg became a big brother as his family welcomed his beloved sister, Jenny (Shaffer) Miller.

Greg’s childhood and adolescence was marked by several key events and shifts that helped form him into the man he became. He developed a strong sense of service to others; a kind and considerate nature; and a playful, wry sense of humor determined to lighten the mood if things took a turn into deep emotional territory.

At fourteen years old, Greg made the decision to know Jesus as his personal Savior. He often talked about his life before salvation and while you might wonder, “how bad could a 14-year old boy be?”, Greg deeply felt his need for salvation. He recalled the life change he experienced with great relief and credited the Lord with allowing him to change.

Two of Greg’s great passions were nature and sports. He enjoyed being outside, whether hiking, building a bonfire, or fishing. He was a natural athlete, playing basketball, golf, and tennis throughout his life.

Greg was one of those rare people who was able to pursue one of his passions for a living. While an undergraduate at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville he discovered the science of ichthyology, or the study of fish. He earned a Master’s degree from Tennessee Tech, leading to his career as a fisheries biologist for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), where he worked for nearly 20 years.

Throughout his life, church played a major role in Greg’s life. As a young man, he worked in the church’s Family Life Center with his lifelong friend and brother-in-law, Tim. As an adult, Greg served as a deacon, led a small group, and served as a member of the ‘golf cart team.’ Church was where he met Courtney in 2006 and they were married in 2007, enjoying 17 happy years of marriage.

Greg and Courtney welcomed their sons, Graham and Everett, in 2010 and 2014. Being a dad was the greatest joy of Greg’s life. There was no responsibility too large or too small for him – changing diapers, bath time, coaching sports teams, chauffeuring to practice, serving as unofficial videographer – he did it all and he did it with joy.

Greg’s life centered on simple pleasures. Watching the Vols play football at Tim and Jenny’s; eating cinnamon rolls and breakfast-for-dinner on his birthday; getting in his daily workout; and taking the day off for the start of March Madness to watch as many games as possible. In the last few years, he developed what we teasingly called his ‘old person hobbies’ – keeping track of the nesting bluebirds, waging war against the backyard squirrels, and carefully tending to the yard.

While we mourn losing him, Greg would not want us to despair. He is more alive today than ever before, enjoying his first moments and days in Heaven with the Lord. The kind, unassuming nature that he embodied so well in life will echo in our hearts long after today. Jenny recently said it best, “What amazing influence that even when you can’t say a word, it makes everyone around you want to be a better version of themselves.”

Greg will be deeply missed by his wife, Courtney; sons, Graham and Everett; parents, Doug & Jenny Shaffer and Ron & Libby Alexander; sister, Jenny Miller and her family Tim, Elin, and Silas; extended family including in-laws, stepsiblings, cousins, aunts and uncles; and a network of friends, neighbors, and colleagues.

If you are moved to honor or remember Greg, we encourage you to consider a memorial gift to the Medical Critical Care (MCC) unit at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. Gifts can be made online or sent to the Office of Philanthropy at 2121 Medical Center Way, Suite 110, Knoxville, TN 37920.

Greg was also a regular and devoted blood donor at Medic Regional Blood Center. He would be touched to see others donate in his memory.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Sevier Heights Baptist Church North Campus, 3446 Lake Crossing Lane, Knoxville, TN at 3 PM, Saturday, August 17, 2024 with Rev. Don Wilson officiating