Gerald Anthony "Gerry" Schaffer

Gerald A. “Gerry” Schaffer passed away Thursday, August 29, 2013, in Colby, Kansas, at the age of 73.  He was born November 28, 1939, in Hoxie, Kansas, to John P. and Regina (Kinderknecht) Schaffer.      Gerry attended school in Hoxie and graduated from Sheridan County High School in 1957.  He served in the United States Army from 1957-1959 in the 8st Infantry Honor Guard, stationed in Germany. Upon returning home, he attended Fort Hays State University and graduated from the Colorado School of Banking.  He was united in marriage to Darlene Moos on August 8, 1964, in Grinnell, Kansas.  They were blessed with four children:  Susan, Steven, Sharon, & Robert.     Gerry was a faithful member of the St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church where he served on the Building Committee. He was a Past Exalted Ruler of the Hoxie Elks Lodge, past President of Rotary Club and 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus.     Gerry was a banker in Hoxie throughout his career.  He retired in 1997 after 37 years at the First National Bank of Hoxie.  He was an active member and officer of the Kansas Bankers Association and, as a member of the Federal Affairs Committee, lobbied in Washington DC to promote Kansas agriculture. He was invited to join the American Bankers Association’s National Agriculture Committee where he served for three years.      Gerry was an avid golfer and loved sharing his joy of the game with his family and friends. In the 1960s he led an effort to bring grass greens to the Hoxie Golf Club.  During retirement he competed in many senior golf tournaments, including the World Senior Golf Championship, an annual tournament attended by an international field of players. He served on the tournament’s executive council and was a member of the champion U.S. teams from 1997 - 1999 and medalist in 1998 and 1999.  He so enjoyed playing cards, dancing with his lovely wife, playing pool, and following his favorite baseball team, the St. Louis Cardinals. Gerry enjoyed watching sports of all kind and took an interest in many area athletes. Gerry attended many of his grandchildren’s activities with great pride and joy.     Left to cherish Gerry’s memory are his wife, Darlene of Hoxie; daughters, Susan May and husband Roger of Oberlin, Kansas, and Sharon Lancaster and husband Gene of Independence, Missouri; sons, Steve Schaffer and wife Laura of Lone Tree, Colorado, and Robert Schaffer and wife Amy of Scottsdale, Arizona; brother, Jim Schaffer and wife Patty of Hays, Kansas;  10 grandchildren, Ryan and Erin May, John and Kate Schaffer, Abygail, Madeline and Zoe Mason, and Ally, Nicholas and Jack Schaffer, and many nieces and nephews.     Gerry is preceded in death by his parents, John and Regina Schaffer.