Thomas Richard Schafer, 82, of St. Marys, Georgia died Saturday, July 1, 2023 at his residence.

He was born in Rochester, New York December 19, 1940 to the late John M Schafer and Isabel Guthiel. He was married to the late Cynthia Anne Newton Schafer and later to the late Betty Jane Smith Lehman Schafer for 41 years. He and Betty settled in St. Marys in 1988 after a Naval Military career in which he retired in San Diego, California as a CWO-3/W3. He then worked a Civil Service job at Kings Bay Naval Submarine base before retiring from Strategic Weapons Facility Atlantic.  He was a member of the local American Legion and VFW and throughout his life he enjoyed many adventures traveling the country in a motorhome, golfing, socializing with friends and family, going out to dinner and telling many tales of his Naval adventures. He and his stories will be greatly missed.

He was also preceded in death by his brother, John M Schafer Jr. and survived by his three children: Thomas R Schafer Jr, Karen S. Saam, Brenda G. Thomas-Horton and three Stepchildren: Jane K Wilson, Susan M Swall and Jacqueline A Ferguson. He had twelve grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, two nieces, one nephew and many cousins.

Memorialization is by Cremation and Military burial at Sea.

Allison Memorial Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.