Frank James Schafer

Frank James Schafer passed away on July 18, 2026 at the age of 82 at his home in Littleton, Colorado with family by his side. Frank was born May 1, 1944 to Frederick and Katherine Elizabeth (Prester) Schafer in Ft. Collins, Colorado.

Frank met his forever wife, Jeanie McLaughin, in November of 1966 in Denver, Colorado while home on leave from the army. They were married on September 2, 1967 in Denver, Colorado. Frank and Jeanie were together 59 years. To this union they were blessed with two children, Heather Dawn, 1973, and Brandon Eli Schafer, 1980.

Frank was one of nine children and the youngest boy. He grew up in Ft. Collins and graduated from Ft Collins High School in 1962 and later took some college courses. Frank started work at an early age. As a child, he would do yard work outside while his mother cleaned the house inside. He was only 8 years old. He pulled his wagon across town to the newspaper office, loaded it up with newspapers, and then would sell them for a nickel a piece to local businesses and bars in town. He got to keep three cents per paper and was thrilled. Later he would load bales of hay onto trucks for local farmers and finally he went to work for the local GW Sugar Factory.

In December of 1962, Frank enlisted in the United States Army. He was stationed at Ft. Meyers, Virginia and was based out of the Pentagon. He was a top secret courier and often would help guard President Lyndon Johnson when he would land at the army bases. Another duty Frank performed was delivering to the White House, the weekly casualty report of our fallen soldiers in Vietnam.

Frank was a humble man and a hard worker. After an honorable discharge from the United States Army, he worked as a mail carrier for 32 years. Following his retirement from the US Postal Service in 2002, Frank worked another 13 years with Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD).

Frank could be a moody German or a kindhearted soul. He loved classical, country, Hawaiian and John Denver music. He loved gardening and puttering around the yard. He enjoyed his model train hobby and doing Sudoku puzzles. Frank loved the beauty of the Poudre Canyon and his family was very important to him.

Frank and Jeanie enjoyed taking trips together as a family and in later years they became Snowbirds in Yuma, Arizona.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick and Katherine Schafer; daughter, Heather Dawn (1973); daughter-in-law, Brenda (2020); brothers - Bob, Jerry, Don and Jesse; sisters - infant girl, Virginia and Barbara. He is survived by his wife, Jeanie, of the home; son, Brandon and his wife, Bryn of Ohio; grandson, Gavin, of Ohio; bonus grandson, David, and bonus great grandson, Killian, of Ohio; sister, Kathy of Ft. Collins; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jeanie and family would like to thank Steven and Ann Schaeffer, friends Karen and Janette, and the Southwest Denver Davita Dialysis Center technicians and nurses for all the love and support they showed Frank during his illness and his passing. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American SIDS Institute, 528 Raven Way, Naples, Florida 34110, in memory of Frank and Jeanie's daughter, Heather Dawn. Donations can also be done online at their website.