Graves Leonard Shafer, Jr., 86, passed away on Wednesday, November 19, 2014. He was a veteran of the US Army, a Methodist and a resident of the Midland community since 1977. Graves was born on October 22, 1928 in Cristoval, Texas to Graves Leonard and Edna Leona (Witcher) Shafer. He graduated from Texas A&M in 1950 as a member of the Cadet Corp with a Bachelor’s in Business. Graves was a Lieutenant in the US Army during the Korean Conflict and he is considered to be an Atomic Veteran because of his participation in the historic atomic testing that took place during his enlistment. Graves married the love of his life, Shearon Stacy, on October 20, 1955. Shearon Stacy preceded her husband after over 46 years of marriage on December 11, 2011. Graves was a loving as well as much loved husband and father. He worked as a Geophysicist and a District Exploration Manager for Getty Oil Company for over 21 years before his retirement in 1985.He was an avid outdoorsman and well loved by all who had the privilege to know him.Graves is survived by his daughter, Stacy Shafer; his daughter, Holly Shafer-Bean and her husband, Bruce; his sister, Linda Flahie and her husband, Mike; his brother, Jackie Don Shafer; his nephew, Brick Gilliland and his wife, Sheryl; his niece, Donna Gilliland and her partner, Jessica; his niece, Brandie Gehan and her husband, Tim; and numerous friends all of whom loved and will miss him dearly.Graves was preceded by his parents and his sister, Frances Gilliland.Memorial services will be planned at a future date. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Nalley-Pickle and Welch Funeral Home and crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com ,
