Dr. Irving "Doc" Everett Shafer Jr

Dr. Irving Everett “Doc” Shafer Jr. died on Tuesday the 10th of December 2013, in Gold Hill, North Carolina. He was born in Salisbury, NC on the 17 of May 1925, the son of Dr. Irving E. Shafer Sr. and Cora Lucille Dearman Shafer. “Doc” leaves behind his wife Gaynell Haynes Shafer, of the home, son Irving “Chip” Everett Shafer III (Terry W. Shafer), of Ft Pierce , Florida, four daughters Melissa Manos (Michael Manos), Shaker Heights, Ohio , Georgia Vaughn (Rick Vaughn), of Alpharetta, GA, Angie Mathis, of Franklin, NC, Trina Millsaps (Jeff Millsaps), of Statesville, NC, 11 grandchildren, and his brother, Dr. Frank T. Shafer ( Beth Shafer) , of Salisbury, NC. Dr. Shafer was preceded in death by his parents. “Doc” grew up dividing his time between the family homeplace, in Gold Hill, NC and the house in Salisbury. As a boy his upbringing was greatly influenced by his paternal Aunt, Lilly Grace Shafer. He graduated from Boyden High School, received a degree from Wake Forest University, graduated as Doctor of Medicine from the Medical College of Virginia, and completed a Residency of Radiology at Baptist Hospital/Bowman Gray School of Medicine. Upon completion of his training “Doc” entered the U.S. Air Force, where he served as a Flight Surgeon ,concentrating in Radiology, with the rank of Captain, during the Korean War. After discharge from the Air Force “Doc” settled in Statesville, NC, where he became head Radiologist for the Iredell Memorial Hospital, a position he remained in for over 30 years. During part of this time he also served as a “circuit riding” Radiologist for the towns of Mooresville, Mocksville, Newton, Hickory and Taylorsville. He was also a partner in Piedmont Radiology in Salisbury. “Doc” was active in and highly regarded in the North Carolina Medical Community. Dr. Shafer retired from Medicine in 1990 and moved to the house of his birth on Thomas Street in Salisbury, NC. Many close to him thought that he would not take well to retirement. Boy were they wrong! “Doc” never looked back! He threw himself full-throttle into his passion for hunting. This pursuit carried him from the dove fields, of Central and South America, to the Duck Marshes of Mexico. Quail in the thick cover or long passing ducks; he was a phenomenal master of the shotgun. When “Doc” took up deer hunting he and Gaynell spent many seasons at their place in Allandale, Sc. He took his last “Big Buck” less than a year ago. The “Big Bucks” of the Savannah River bottom are sleeping a little better tonight knowing that “Doc” is out of circulation. Dr. Shafer was loved and will be well remembered by many. Anyone who spent a day in a duck blind or walked up behind a pair of pointers (he had some great bird dogs) with him has filed these experiences in their bank of favorite memories. As per “Docs” instructions his body will be cremated and his ashes spread at some favorite sites. A memorial stone will be placed near his beloved “Aunt Grace” in the Gold Hill Cemetery. A memorial service will be on the Saturday (Dec 14) at 11 AM at Gold Hill United Methodist Church, St. Stephens Church Rd, Gold Hill, NC followed by a reception for family and friends at his home at 230 W. Thomas St. “Doc” was an avid reader and a regular at the Rowan County Library. In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made to the Rowan County Library, c/o Pam Nance, 201 West Fisher St., Salisbury, NC 28144. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Shafer family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

Dr. Irving "Doc" Everett Shafer Jr

May 17, 1925 - December 10, 2013