Franklin Dewey Shaffer

Franklin Dewey Shaffer Obituary

Franklin Dewey Shaffer (PawPaw), 76, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 27, 2024, surrounded by family. Born on February 22, 1948, in Corpus Christi, Texas, Franklin lived a life marked by eccentric brilliance, sharp business judgment, and a larger-than-life personality. He was a beloved father, husband, businessman, and legendary friend.

Franklin was a standout athlete and musician during his formative years in Corpus Christi and later pursued higher education, earning a law degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He began his career as an Assistant District Attorney before transitioning to entrepreneurship, continuing his father’s business, Shaffer’s Muffler Shops.

After his first marriage to Brenda Gail Shaw, Franklin found a second chance at love with Brenda Hughes and moved to Tennessee, where he thrived as a successful businessman. He was known for his innovative ventures, including Shaffer Farm Custom Meats and Texas Bar-B-Q, which became renowned far beyond the Tennessee state lines.

Franklin’s love for the unusual extended to his remarkable collection of exotic cats and his several-hundred-acre North American Exotic Deer Farm in Lawrenceburg. He was also known for his enduring affection for English Bulldogs.

Above all, Franklin’s faith and love for Jesus were central to who he was, and he leaves behind a legacy of strength, unwavering zest for life, and an unshakable belief in the power of redemption through Jesus Christ.

Franklin is survived by his devoted wife, Brenda Shaffer, his children, stepchildren, grandchildren, great-grandson, and a host of friends, colleagues, and loyal customers who will forever cherish his memory.

Arrangements are being handled by Neal Funeral Home, and funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, January 04, 2025, with a private family burial to follow at the Shaffer Family Cemetery in Summertown, TN.