James Leslie Shaffer

James Leslie Shaffer, born on April 30, 1944, in Holdrege, Nebraska, to Harry and Ruth Quig Shaffer, died on October 10, 2014, at McAllen Medical Center. He is survived by his loving wife Diane E. Scohy Shaffer, four younger siblings: Francis (Barbara); Patricia (Gary) Gergen; Susan M. Shaffer; and Kent Alan (Susan) and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother Reginald and his parents.

Jim attended the Alma, Nebraska public schools and graduated salutatorian and merit scholar in 1962. While in high school, he completed the requirements for the rank of Eagle Scout and member of the Order of the Arrow. Jim was very active in 4-H also, earning awards for his myriad projects.

Jim then attended Nebraska Wesleyan University where he was president of his fraternity Tau Kappa Epsilon and graduated with honors with a B.A. in History and Mathematics. Jim was awarded a teaching fellowship to Purdue University in a U.S. History survey course of 1000 students. While he completed his masters thesis, "The Propagation of the Christian Faith Among the Sioux Indians by the Protestant Episcopal Church, 1860-1890. Jim fulfilled the requirements for a M.A. in U.S. History.

Jim then came south and started his teaching career as a math teacher at Rio Grande City High in 1968 and where he would eventually teach GED Math and English, Gifted and Talented English I, World History, European History AP, U.S. History regular, advanced honors and advanced placement (AP). From 1980-83, he and Diane lived in Alma, NE where he managed Harry Shaffer Insurance, but they returned to teaching at R.G.C. High completing their careers in teaching in 2012. In addition to 41 years for R.G.C.C.I.S.D., he taught two years for Purdue University and several years at UT-PA and STCC.

Although Jim loved flowers, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the R.G.C. Public Library, or La Grulla High School Library or R.G.C. High School Library.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Javier D. Margo, Jr. and to the Retama Manor nursing staff for their unending care. Special Thanks to Isaac and Winky Longoria for their support and never ending kindness.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, October 14, 2014 from 6:00pm - 9:00pm. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sanchez Funeral Home of Rio Grande City, Texas.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to puck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love and a time to hate; a time of war and a time of peace. Ecclesiasts 3: 1-8