MSgt. Paul M. Shaffer USMC (Ret.)

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Visitation Schedule
Roller-Chenal Funeral Home
13801 Chenal Parkway
Little Rock, AR  72211
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
10:00 A.M.
Service Schedule
Roller-Chenal Funeral Home Chapel
13801 Chenal Parkway
Little Rock, AR  72211
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
11:00 A.M.
Cemetery
Arkansas State Veterans' Cemetery
1501 West Maryland Avenue
North Little Rock, AR  72120
Memorial Contributions
UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefellar Cancer Institute
4018 W. Capitol Avenue
Little Rock, AR  72205
I served in the Marine.
MSgt. Paul M. Shaffer USMC (Ret.)I am a Veteran.

of Little Rock, AR

September 23, 1940 - August 9, 2017

MSgt. PAUL M. SHAFFER USMC (Ret.) of Little Rock answered his last role call on 9, August 2017. He was born September 23, 1940 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to the late James and Dorothy Shaffer.

He served in the United States Marine Corps during the Viet Nam War with the 3rd Marine Division and 3rd Marine Amphibious Force. While stationed in Norfolk, Virginia he met and married Donna Mae Nicholls from McKeesport, Pennsylvania, his wife of 55 years on September 9, 1961. On August 31, 1978, he retired at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina and moved with his family to Little Rock, Arkansas to assume the duties as the Marine Instructor, Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps at Catholic High School for Boys, Little Rock, AR. This second career lasted another twenty years under the direction of the late Monsignor George Tribou. He considered this assignment one of the most important and edifying vocations that he undertook during his lifetime. He later worked at Merrill Lynch as a Registered Client Associate for two years and then for a period of 4 years as a Veterans Service Officer at the Arkansas State Veterans Department.

He is survived by his brothers, SMSGT James E. Shaffer USAF (Ret.) (Yoshie) of Hampton. Va. and Robert A. Shaffer (Susan) of Anchorage, Alaska; his son, James Robert Shaffer (Dorothy) of Sherwood, Arkansas and his daughter, Melanie Dawn Cook (John) of Glen Rose, Arkansas. He derived much joy from his grandchildren, Caitlin Walraven and Joshua Walter; and great-granddaughter, Lily Rae Walraven.

A celebration of his life will be 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 16, 2017 at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home Chapel, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Arkansas 72211. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery with full military honors.

Memorials may be made to UAMS Winthrop Rockefeller Cancer Institute, 4018 W. Capitol Avenue, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205.




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27 Condolence(s)
Jacob Chi
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Dear Top,

It's been a while since you've passed. I never got to thank you for all the life lessons you taught me while I was a stupid little kid in JROTC. But I never forgot them. I'll never forget the way you came to support me when I started my career. You showed up when it mattered and came to vouch for me when you didn't have to. Another thing I won't ever forget was when you and your wife would come by my family's restaurant and visit with my mom. She passed away the year after you did. I went to see Mrs. Shaffer after you passed to drop off some desserts and things I thought she'd enjoy. Hope you don't mind but she handed down your coffee mug. Don't worry I'd never pollute your mug with anything but black coffee. No cream, no sugar, no bullcrap. I miss you, Top. Hope you and the Mrs. are dancing up in Heaven like I always remember. See you when I see you.

- Jacob Chi, Catholic High JROTC Class of 1998

Sheila Harrison
Hot Springs Village, AR
Liked
Saturday, August 26, 2017

Our son, Randy, was in the ROTC Color Guard during his years at Catholic High School (1991-1995). He learned life lessons from MSgt. Shaffer that carried him through college and beyond. Toughest for him to learn was "to be on time is to be 10 minutes early, to be on time is to be late and to be late is UNACCEPTABLE."
Under that Marine exterior, MSgt cared about the young men he dealt with everyday, and he cared about the parents and families of these young men.
Job well done and it is time for your family to be proud of your accomplishments. Thank you, sir.

Kara Aaron
Little Rock,
Liked
Friday, August 18, 2017

I work at the VA with blind Veterans and it was a joy to work down the hall from Mr. Shaffer. He was great at helping the Veterans with benefits.

Doug Brown, Jr.
Greenville, NC
Liked
Friday, August 18, 2017

Very sad to learn of the passing of MSgt P. M. Shaffer, USMC (Ret). Top Shaffer was a true servant leader. Following 20 years on active duty, he invested 20 years as a MCJROTC instructor teaching leadership and discipline to well over 3,000 cadets.

When I first joined the JROTC Color Guard, Top said to bleach the gloves and crown white cover to get them really white. I thought my life was going to end when I showed him gloves with no fingers and a 4" hole in the top of the crown white cover. "What did you do, Brown!"

One of his favorite sayings was, "Come here, lad. I got something for you there, boy." Like only he could say.


I asked him what advise he had for a brand new 2ndLt. He taught me a lesson in delegation in a way I'll always remember. It's been great advise and I share it with others.

I recall when he had a yearbook photo taken and the photographer told him to smile. Top just nodded. The photographer again told him to smile. Top nodded. After the third time, Top said, "I'm smiling. Now take the picture." That was Top.

I kept in touch with Top several times a year. I was very glad to get to visit with him last October. Great and meaningful visit.

Thanks for all the leadership and life lessons, Top. You have left a great legacy. I'll miss our calls and visits. Rest easy. Fair winds and following seas. Semper Fidelis.

Joey Hatfield
North Little Rock,
Liked
Thursday, August 17, 2017

Top, you were an outstanding mentor for us young men. You had safe advice when I faced a harsh reality and I have always carried it with me. I know pass it to my son along with so many stories of my time under your guidance. Thank you for your service to country, family, and the young men that went through your program. You will be missed and forever remembered.

Scott Yakoubian
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Rest in peace, Top. You made a difference in our lives and your memory will live on. Thank you for your service, thank you for your guidance, thank you for your discipline, thank you for being a good and decent man. Semper Fi.

Tom Humphries
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Paul was a good friend and good roll model to my sons in the ROTC program. He and the whole family are in my prayers.

Jason Mann
Little Rock,
Liked
Tuesday, August 15, 2017

MSgt Shaffer helped me along the path of service to my country as a Marine Officer. I pray that I was able to pass along just a small fraction of his encouragement, wisdom, and devotion to duty to those I was so fortunate to serve along side.

Fair winds and folllowing seas Top!

Larry and Paula Beckius
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Monday, August 14, 2017

Such a wonderful man, we truly enjoyed, living down the street
From sarge and visiting with him often. We loved the stories
He would tell. Our son Joey also thought very highly of
Of him.
I am truly sorry for for your loss Donna. He will be missed by all.

Michael Simon
Houston, TX
Liked
Monday, August 14, 2017

Truly a man for others that lives on in all of us he encouraged and inspired. Eternal Peace, Top.
CHS '85

CDR Price Gillenwater
little rock, AR
Liked
Monday, August 14, 2017

A true leader of young men who had a never ending desire to help them become young men of high standards. OhhhRahh on a life well lived.

Jason Messenger
Tulsa,
Liked
Sunday, August 13, 2017

MSgt Shaffer, or "Top" as he was also known, was a positive influence on my life and on the lives of many others. My condolences to his family. Rest In Peace, Top.

Ann Walloch
Morrilton, AR
Liked
Sunday, August 13, 2017

You were a good neighbor. He always had a smile for you.

Jimmie O'Neal
Morrilton, AR
Liked
Sunday, August 13, 2017

My beloved friend rest in peace.

Jerry Bryant
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Sunday, August 13, 2017


My thoughts and prayers are with your family

Roger Case
Little Rock,
Liked
Saturday, August 12, 2017

Thank you for your service MSgt Shaffer. You were an inspiration to all of us who attended the Marine Field Music School while you were the NCOIC. God Speed Marine

Tina Diffee
NLR,
Liked
Friday, August 11, 2017

So sorry to hear this!! Love and prayers from the family of Grant Diffee'15

Jay Ward
Little Rock,
Liked
Friday, August 11, 2017

My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

David Walt
Little Rock,
Liked
Friday, August 11, 2017

Upon learning of Top's passing, I was flooded with fond , indelible memories of MSgt. He was a positive influence on me at a formative period of my life. I will always reflect upon him with gratitude.
David Walt
CHS '91

Charles Owen, MD, MBA, FACP, AGAF
ARLINGTON, TX
Liked
Friday, August 11, 2017

Dear Top,

You have guided and inspired so many of us to exceed our own perceived limitations and attain many supposed insurmountable goals. I am proud to call you my Marine Instructor, teacher, and friend. Thank you for the boundless generosity and advocacy you gave to generations of young (and now old) men.

Yours,
'Charlie-O'

Tu Tran
Little Elm, TX
Liked
Friday, August 11, 2017

Rest in peace Top!! I will remember my time at ROTC with you asking me to đi đi mau. lol.

Keith & Robin Neumeier
Fort Mitchell, AL
Liked
Friday, August 11, 2017

Donna and Family,
Paul was such an excellent friend and mentor. His infectious laugh and direct comments will be missed by us. We share in your sadness, but with the memories we made over the last few years in Hawaii, Arkansas, and Alabama he will never be forgotten. We pray for you daily.

Tim Davis
San Diego, CA
Liked
Friday, August 11, 2017

MSgt Shaffer was one of the reasons I became a Marine Officer, and I owe much to him and Catholic High. If the streets in heaven truly are guarded by United States Marines, I'm sure Paul Shaffer is there making out the guard duty roster, distributing ammo, drilling them until they get it right. He was a great man, dedicated to his profession, and had the most memorable laugh and sense of humor. Fair winds and following seas to a friend and mentor. Semper Fi, Top!
-Tim Davis CHS '84

LTC Tom Pickle
Kailua,
Liked
Thursday, August 10, 2017

Paul,
You were an inspiration to me as a young Catholic High student. Seeing you later in life when we were both veterans with a common bond was a moment I still cherish. Oorah, Semper Fi, Top.

James Kidd
Portland,
Liked
Thursday, August 10, 2017

Semper Fi Top! Fair winds and following seas.

Kristy Morell
Benton, AR
Liked
Thursday, August 10, 2017

Melanie, I am so sorry for your loss. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Shelly and Brian Glenn
Cabot, AR
Liked
Thursday, August 10, 2017

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time.