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IN MEMORY

Herbert Schafer - Class Of 1952

Herbert Chris Schafer, 86, died on Sunday, August 16, 2020 at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina due to complications of COVID-19.

Mr. Schafer was born on August 1, 1934 to Dorothy Higgins Schafer and Chris Jacob Schafer, Jr. in Kenosha, WI.  In 1952, he graduated from Mary D. Bradford Senior High School, Kenosha, Wisconsin.  Mr. Schafer then moved to North Carolina after being awarded a full four-year scholarship in Textiles to North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina.  Through his involvement with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at North Carolina State University, he met his wife, Virginia Lee Jones.  They were married on June 14, 1958 in Raleigh, NC.  

After living in Asheville, NC and working for American Enka Company for one year, they moved to Chapel Hill, NC, where Mr. Schafer earned his Master of Business Administration from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1960.  The Schafers then moved to Atlanta, GA where they lived for 49 years.  He began his sixty-year career with The Prudential Insurance Company of America as an Insurance Agent and later became a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) in 1970.  In 1981, he earned his Master of Science and Financial Services from The American College and in 1982 was recognized as a Chartered Financial Consultant from The American College.  He is remembered for his tireless dedication to his clients and colleagues.

Mr. and Mrs. Schafer's Christian fellowship was the center of their life while living in Atlanta, first attending Northwoods Bible Chapel and later North Atlanta Bible Chapel.  Mr. Schafer's involvement with the Lord's commission was widespread and honored his personal commitment to furthering God's work.  In 2009, the Schafers relocated to Arbor Acres United Methodist Retirement Community in Winston-Salem, NC.  As an 11-year resident of Arbor Acres, he remained active in the life insurance and financial planning industry while being involved in numerous roles as an advocate for senior adults; President of the Men's Club and was currently the Arbor Acres Representative to the North Carolina Continuing Care Residents Association.

Mr. Schafer is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Paul S. Schafer.  He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Virginia Jones Schafer of Winston-Salem; his two daughters:  Sharon Schafer Kennedy and husband William Moore Kennedy of Charlotte, NC; and Sally Schafer Thomas and husband Dr. Christopher Reid Thomas of Spartanburg, SC; his three grandchildren:  Kathryn Lee Kennedy of Chapel Hill, NC, Virginia Metcalf Thomas and Reid Schafer Thomas of Spartanburg, SC; and his sister, Beverly S. Petersen of Stuart, FL.  He leaves behind an everlasting legacy of his faith in God, strength, love and commitment to his family as their beloved Pa.

A private graveside service officiated by Rod Sharp of Winston-Salem, NC was held by his immediate family on Friday, August 21, 2020 at 11:00AM at Forsyth Memorial Park in Winston-Salem.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Account: Carolinas Vision, P.O. Box 7895, Madison, WI 53719 (https://donate.intervarsity.org/donate#20542) or a charitable organization of your choice.  The Schafer family plans to celebrate Herb's life with a memorial service to be held at a later date.  Salem Funeral Home in Winston-Salem, NC is assisting the Schafer family.

Published in Atlanta Journal-Constitution on August 30, 2020

https://www.salemfh.com/obituaries/Herbert-Chris-Schafer?obId=18050304#/obituaryInfo