Virgil Emery Shaffer was born in the Doga community west of Fairfax in Osage County, Oklahoma on May 7, 1921 to Joseph Calvin and Myrtle Mellicca (McGee) Shaffer. He grew up there on his parents' farm with 4 sisters, Ola, Lulu, Alma and Bonnie and 2 brothers, Joe and Bill. He graduated from Fairfax High School in 1939. He worked as a farm hand until he enlisted in the Army Air Corp. in May 1941 during World War l l . When he enlisted he gave his occupation as a "cow puncher." He served as an airplane and engine mechanic and truck driver. He served in Sicily, Naples, Algerian French Morocco, Rome, North Apennines, Rhineland, Southern France and Central Europe to keep the planes flying to win the war. He received the Good Conduct medal, American Defense Service Ribbon, EAME Service Ribbon with one silver star, three bronze service stars and one bronze arrowhead.

He returned to America on Sept. 26, 1945. He met his sister, Ola's roommate, Margaret Miller and they were married on Feb. 9, 1946. Their only child, Margie Ann, was born on July 19, 1947. He graduated from Spartan's School of Aeronautics in Tulsa and worked for American Airlines.

He attended a revival with a friend in the early 50's and asked the Lord to save him that night. He was ordained as a deacon in 1955 and surrendered to the ministry in 1958 at South Lakewood Baptist Church in Tulsa. The first church he pastored was Antioch Baptist Church in Bartlesville. The church was organized and he was ordained to the ministry on the same day. The paper reported that the church was ordained and he was organized!

He pastored the Owasso Missionary Baptist Church (now Calvary Missionary Baptist Church) for 6 years before moving to Marlow, Ok. in 1962 to attend the Okla. Missionary Baptist Institute for 3 years. While there he pastored a church in Madill, OK and the Harmony Baptist Church in Gerty, OK. In 1965 he moved back to Owasso and pastored the Calvary church again until his retirement on May 5, 1991 after pastoring the 33 years.

During this time he served several years as Secretary-Treasurer for the Bogg Springs Okla. Camp near Mena, AR. He lived in Owasso with his wife Margaret until moving to the Highlands retirement center and remained there for three years until his death on Jan. 2, 2021, at the age of 99 years.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Margie and Alan Conditt, and their 6 children and spouses: Kimberly and Jason Phillips, Melody and Chuck Smiddy, DeAnna and Danny Calhoun, David and Dana Conditt, Daniel and Leslie Conditt, Twyla and Cory Davis.

Virgil and Margaret were married for 72 years and have 16 great-grandchildren: Caleb, Andrew, Camryn, Taylor, Mandy, Zachary, Jacob, Gideon, Lauren, Makayla, Zephany, Logan, Evan, Reagan, Madison, and Maleigh. He was preceded in death by 3 sisters, Ola Parker, Lulu Means, and Alma Speakman, and 1 brother, Joe Shaffer. Survivors are Bonnie Jester and Bill Shaffer, twins.

Funeral service will be 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at Moore's Southlawn Chapel, Tulsa, OK. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233