<BillNo> <Sponsor>
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 85
By Capley
HJR0085
001401
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A RESOLUTION to honor the memory of Franklin Dewey Shaffer
of Lawrenceburg.
WHEREAS, the members of this General Assembly were greatly saddened to learn of
the passing of Franklin Dewey Shaffer of Lawrenceburg; and
WHEREAS, Franklin Shaffer was an exemplary public servant and consummate
professional who worked assiduously to improve the quality of life for his fellow citizens in
numerous capacities; and
WHEREAS, born on February 22, 1948, in Corpus Christi, Texas, Mr. Shaffer was the
only child born to Ishmael Worth Shaffer and Marjorie Gaynell Williams; and
WHEREAS, Franklin Shaffer spent his formative years in Corpus Christi and attended
Tuloso-Midway Independent School District before he and his family relocated to Summertown,
Tennessee; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Shaffer graduated from Lawrence County High School in 1965 and
earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Middle Tennessee State
University; he returned to Texas and earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence law degree from the
University of Texas at Austin; and
WHEREAS, following law school, Franklin Shaffer began his legal career as the
assistant district attorney in Corpus Christi, Texas; he went on to purchase the family business,
Shaffer's Muffler Shops, and continued his father's legacy of hard work and ingenuity; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Shaffer was a successful entrepreneur in the Lawrenceburg community,
known for his innovative ventures and businesses and his ability to turn his dreams into reality;
perhaps his proudest achievement was founding Shaffer Farms Custom Meats and Texas Bar-
B-Q, a restaurant that brought his passion for Texas-style barbecue to Tennessee and created
a destination where family, friends, celebrities, and visitors from across the country could gather
and savor his legendary recipes; and
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WHEREAS, Franklin Shaffer also owned an exotic deer farm in Lawrenceburg that
spanned several hundred acres and shared the magic of the winter season among children and
local schools; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Shaffer's love for the unusual extended to his remarkable collection of
exotic cats, which included his beloved jaguar, Tigre, who became a local celebrity in Corpus
Christi; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Shaffer was deeply devoted to his faith and his family, and he always
endeavored to remain true to family values of the highest order; and
WHEREAS, Franklin Shaffer will be sadly missed but fondly remembered by his
cherished wife, Brenda Shaffer; his children, Perry Worth (Wendy) Shaffer, Brian Lawrence
(Kendra) Shaffer, and Amanda Renee (Andy) Elledge; his stepchildren, Natalie (Mark) White,
Stacey (Bubba) Doss, and Shane Hughes; his grandchildren, Presley (Kody) Gobble, Madison
Shaffer, Allison (Garrett) Clark, Jon Frank Gobbell, Chloe (Austin) Nash, Colton Shaffer, Jozie
Shaffer, Abbie Jo Shaffer, Elijah Shaffer, Savannah Doss, Walker Doss, and Mia White; his
great-grandson, Weston Nash; and a host of friends and colleagues; and
WHEREAS, the epitome of excellence, Mr. Shaffer was an eccentric and faithful soul
who impacted the lives of those who were blessed to know him, and he leaves behind an
indelible legacy of integrity and probity in public life, compassion and loyalty in private life, and
diligence and dedication in all his chosen endeavors; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting that the members of this General Assembly should pause to
remember the bountiful life of this exceptional public servant and human being; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUN DRED
FOURTEENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE
CONCURRING, that we honor the memory of Franklin Dewey Shaffer, reflecting fondly upon his
impeccable character and his stalwart commitment to living the examined life with courage and
conviction.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we express our sympathy and offer our condolences
to the family of Mr. Shaffer.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an appropriate copy of this resolution be prepared
for presentation with this final clause omitted from such copy and upon proper request made to
the appropriate clerk, the language appearing immediately following the State seal appear
without House or Senate designation.