Gary William Schafer

GARY WILLIAM SCHAFER Funeral services for longtime Cortez resident, Gary William Schafer will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 29 at the Ertel Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow at the Arriola Cemetery. Mr. Doug Carver will be officiating. A visitation has been scheduled for Thursday afternoon at the Ertel Chapel from 3:30 until 5 p.m. Gary was born on May 11, 1941 in Denver, Colo. the son of William and O’Linda (York) Schafer. He passed away on Monday, April 25, 2005 at his home in Cortez at the age of 63. Gary was an Army veteran who served two consecutive terms in Germany, Israel and Jordan. He moved to the area 25 years ago where he worked for Nielson’s/Skanska as a mechanic for 20 years. He was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure which caused an early retirement. Gary was recently diagnosed with cancer and was receiving treatment in Durango. During his early years he loved racing stock cars. He has a website dedicated to his racing memories, www.coloradoracingmemories.com. Gary loved keeping in touch with his brother and old racing buddies discussing the old days. At one point Gary learned to fly remote control airplanes, something he enjoyed very much. Gary also found pleasure in keeping the NASCAR races on television all of the time. He would have it up so loud you thought you were at the races. He cherished frequent visits from his grandchildren, catering to their every need. This included changing the channel from his beloved races. Gary loved taking regular drives with his wife Wanda. They would venture out and drive wherever their heart desired. More importantly he loved living life and caring for his wife, children and grandchildren. Surviving Gary are his wife, Wanda Ann Schafer of Cortez; his children, Marion Barrios, Janeen Wise both of Gaithersburg, Md., Sheley, Darrell “Dennis” Carver, Carol Gray, Merlyn Carver, Brian Carver, Susan Carver, and Rebecca Kline. He leaves numerous grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter; his brother, Harold Schafer and wife, Carolyn of Page, Ariz.; his aunt, Lois Schafer of Denver; and his lifelong family friend, Darlene Spomer of Lakeside, Colo. Preceding him in death were his parents; and his son, Anthony Schafer.