Thomas “Tom” Shaver

Published 12:19 am Friday, November 6, 2015

Thomas “Tom” Shaver passed away after a long battle with various lung diseases on October 20, 2015. Tom was born in upstate New York to Don and Vera Stratton Shaver. He was 2nd of 5 children. He attended elementary school in Alliance, OH where the family lived from 1945 to 1953. In 1953 they moved to Gardena, CA. Tom attended Wilmington Junior High where he was inspired to play the trumpet, winning the California State Solos Contest. While at Banning High School he continued to play and won the Arion Award, the highest award in high school music in California. He attended Los Angeles Harbor Jr. College majoring in Machine Shop and Tool and Die Making.

In 1961 he married Dyann Davey and found work as a machinist in the aircraft and space industries. He was drafted into the Army in 1966. He was a trumpeter, Specialist 5, in the 179th Army Band and the 5th Division Bands. He traveled the mountain states playing taps at hundreds of military funerals as well as parades and dances.

In 1968 Tom and Dyann welcomed their daughter Laura Lynne and son Thomas Todd 2 years later. The family moved to Madras in 1972 and Tom started Tom’s Furnace Service. In 1983 he returned to machine shop work until he was forced to retire due to illness. During these years he coached his children baseball teams, was a Boy Scout leader, directed his church choir and formed a dance band as well as directed the Jefferson County Community Band.

Tom’s hobbies were Waterskiing, Scuba Diving, Hunting and Camping. He loved a good joke and was the king of the one liners. He was an officer in the Oregon Good Sam Club for 41 years and served as State Director for 4 years.

Tom leaves his wife of 54 years Dyann, children Laura(Scott) Richardson of Elk River,MN and Todd (Carrie)Shaver and grandchildren Kyle and Alexandria of Redmond. He also leaves brothers Robert and Ralph and sister Vera Ellen. He was predeceased by his parents and brother Douglas.

A Celebration of Life will be held on November 8th at 2:00 at the Madras Christian Church, 115 SE C Street in Madras. A reception will follow at the Jefferson County Senior Center 860 SW Madison St.