Donald Eugene “Red” Shaver left for his eternal home Jan. 25, 2021 at Hendrick Hospice Center in Abilene. He was born Jan. 23, 1939 in Wapanucka, Okla. to Charlie and Ada Shaver. Red began working at a young age, including a stint at a local wrecking yard. Red’s strong work ethic continued as he worked in the oil fields until he was injured.
He was a loving husband and father who always enjoyed spending time with family. Through different adventures, Red always ensured his children had smiles on their faces, while teaching them the same work ethic he was taught from a young age. As the years passed, many different children and teenagers referred to Red as “dad” or “grandpa” because of the time he invested into each of their lives.
Red enjoyed hunting, fishing and tinkering with different vehicles and 4-wheelers on his property and was always there for others, whether it be to fix a vehicle, change a water heater or taking care of just about anything mechanical that may be causing problems.
Charity work was also important to Red, who was commonly found on Saturdays and Tuesdays volunteering his time with a local Lion’s Club. He was a long-time member of Heartland Church, where his three daughters were married.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Ada Shaver as well as brothers Floyd, J.T. and Truman, sisters Patsy and Leora and granddaughter Kayleigh Sh’rae.
Red is survived by first wife Juanita and second wife Vicci Vandenberg, who he considered the love of his life, for more than 31 years. He is also survived by brother Ralph Shaver of Mineral Wells; sisters Charlene Herring and husband Phillip of Romance, Ark. and Mary Nichols of Brownwood, Tx.; daughters Shawna Starr of Tyler, Tx.; Beth Phelps and husband Rick of Bangs, Tx., Colleen Bostick (Shaver) of Lake Brownwood, Tx. and Ada Green and husband Eric of Brownwood, Tx. He is also survived by grandchildren Briana, Brooke, Katrina, Andrew, Jordan, Alex, Lauren, Tiffany, Alyssa, Garrett, Tessa and Mara, as well as many more children and grandchildren who called Red “dad” or “grandpa”. These were all people who meant the world to Red and who he considered his own.
A celebration of life service will be Jan. 28 at Heartland Church at 1 p.m. with graveside to follow at Greenleaf Cemetery. Pastor Rick Phelps will be officiating.
