Duane Schafer

Kenneth Duane Schafer, 82 year old farmer and rancher of Texhoma Oklahoma, passed away Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at Memorial Hospital of Texas County, Guymon.

The son of Emma Corene (Hamilton) and Roy Duane Schafer, he was born May 30, 1935 in Amarillo, Texas. Duane attended Texhoma schools, where he was valedictorian of his class and received the State FFA degree. He then attended Panhandle State College in Goodwell, where his sophomore year he received the highest honor from The National FFA ,the award of American Farmer degree, being the first American Farmer out of Texas County, Oklahoma.
He was also active in student government, Aggie Club, Museum Club, student housing leadership and was on numerous judging teams. Duane was instrumental in helping establish the Panhandle State Foundation that has assisted students and given scholarships to many Aggie students over the years. Always an Aggie, Duane had served as vice president and president of the OPSU Alumni Association and the OPSU Foundation. In 1989, Duane was honored as a Distinguished Alumni.
After Duane graduated from college, he married Grace Longbrake of Guymon, Oklahoma on April 19, 1958. He was soon drafted into the United States Army and was sent to Fort Carson and later to Fort McClellan, Anniston, Alabama, where he was trained in chemical warfare. After his military tour, he, Grace and baby Florene returned to Texhoma to the family farm and ranching business. Duane and Grace raised their girls, worked hard and invested in their community. Duane served his community as a an active member and served on the boards of the Texhoma, Texas School Board, Texhoma Wheat Growers, Sherman County Water Board, Sherman County Appraisal Board and Board of Equalization. Member of First Baptist Church.

Duane was a friend and encourager to many. In the past, if you were to run into him on the street, he would shake your hand, wish you the best, leave you with a smile and tell you, “Always do your best!”

Duane is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Grace Schafer; their three daughters and their families that he adored and was so very proud of. Florene and husband, Jay Murphy reside in Texhoma and have taken over the farming and ranching. Their oldest, Jacob and wife, Ceciley, live in Colcord, Oklahoma, where he is pursuing his Master’s Degree in Education and Ceciley is a political consultant. Daughter, Sarah Murphy is a student at OPSU and will be pursuing a degree in Chiropractic.
Middle daughter, Cindy and husband, Stephen Medlicott live in Denton, Texas, where Cindy is a teacher and Stephen works in the Boy Scouts of American Headquarters. Their oldest child, Elizabeth, is a Registered Nurse in San Antonio, Texas. William Medlicott and wife, Ansley, currently teach in Japan, but will soon transfer to London, England, where they will continue their education. Their youngest, Luke, is pursuing a Physical Therapy degree at Texas Tech University, Lubbock.
Duane and Grace’s youngest daughter, Mary and husband, Todd Bass, live in Crosbyton, Texas, where both teach and Todd is the boys’ head basketball coach. Their son, Aaron and wife, Libby, reside in Jacksboro, Texas, where Aaron is also the head boy’s basketball coach and Libby is a speech pathologist. They have blessed the Schafers with their first great grandchild, Dean Bass, born March, 2018. Mary and Todd’s youngest daughter, Meghan Bass, is a missionary in Belgium, working with Sportquest Mission group.

Duane is also survived by two sisters, Lora Folsom of Dallas, Texas and Delma Dee Daniels of Florida; two brothers-in-law, Ronald Longbrake and wife, Dorla of Dayton, Ohio, Kenneth Longbrake and wife, Beth of Cushing, Oklahoma; and sister-in-law, Nelda and husband, Charlie Smith of Amarillo, Texas, and many other special nieces, nephews and relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Corene Schafer, and his infant daughter, Lindy Sue Schafer.
Funeral services will be Saturday afternoon, May 12th, 1:30 PM, at First Baptist Church, Texhoma, with brother-in-law, Deacon Kenneth Longbrake, officiating. Interment with military rites will follow in Texhoma Cemetery.

Viewing will be at the Henson-Novak Funeral Chapel, 733 First Street, Texhoma,Texas on Friday afternoon, 3:00-8:00 PM with the family being present, 6:00-8:00 PM.

The Schafer family has requested that in lieu of floral gifts, memorials be given to the Texhoma Cemetery, c/o Tom Hackler, P.O. Box 348, Texhoma, OK 73949.

Friends may sign the online guest book and send condolences at www.hensonnovakfh@gmail.com

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