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 on May 1, 1944, to Frederick and Katherine Elizabeth (Prester) Schafer in Ft. Collins, Colorado.

Frank met his forever wife, Jeanie McLaughlin, in November of 1966 in Denver, Colorado while home on leave from the Army. They were married on September 2, 1967, in Denver, Colorado. Together they shared 59 years of marriage and were blessed with two children, Heather Dawn, born in 1973, and Brandon Eli Schafer, born in 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. He later took college courses and 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. He got to keep three cents per paper and was thrilled. Later he loaded hay bales for local farmers before eventually going to work for the local Great Western Sugar Factory.

In December of 1962, Frank enlisted in the United States Army. He was stationed at Fort 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 Army bases. One of Frank’s important responsibilities was delivering the weekly casualty report of fallen soldiers from the Vietnam War to the White House.

Following an honorable discharge from the United States Army, Frank began a 32-year career as a mail carrier. After retiring from the U.S. Postal Service in 2002, he continued working another 13 years with the Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD).

Frank was a humble man and a hard worker. He could be a moody German or a kindhearted soul. He loved classical, country, Hawaiian and John Denver music. He enjoyed gardening, puttering around the yard, his model train hobby and working Sudoku puzzles. Frank especially appreciated the beauty of Colorado’s Poudre Canyon, and above all, his family was very important to him.

Frank and Jeanie enjoyed traveling together with their family, and in later years they became snowbirds, spending their winters in Yuma, Arizona.

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.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick and Katherine Schafer; daughter, Heather Dawn; daughter-in-law, Brenda; brothers, Bob, Jerry, Don and Jesse; sisters, infant girl, Virginia and Barbara.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Plumer-Overlease funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to American SIDS Institute, 528 Raven Way, Naples, Florida 34110, www.sids.org, in memory of Frank and Jeanie's daughter, Heather Dawn.