Barry Shaffner, the rock and backbone of our family, passed unexpectedly after a short battle with cancer at the age of 74. He was born in Dayton, Ohio on July 20, 1948 where he attended Meadowdale High School and enjoyed an active life of sports and friends, while excelling at football in particular.

During the spring of 1968 he was drafted into the U.S. Army several weeks before his admission into college and served in the Vietnam War from 1970-1971. He chose to go through officer candidate school and embarked on a 20-year career that took him as far away as Germany and Saudi Arabia. His final duty station brought him to Fort Monroe, Virginia where he worked with TRADOC until his retirement in 1988 as a Major. He earned many accolades for his service, to include two Bronze Star Medals and a Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.

After his retirement with the U.S. Army, Barry took his interest of information technology and worked as a contractor/consultant for several organizations to include EWA, ITS, and Ciber while supporting IBM. Barry was an avid fisherman and enjoyed any chance he could get to be out on the water. His greatest joy was his family and he spent countless hours at sporting events for his children and grandchildren. He went as far as organizing a local summer soccer league for his son and the soccer community just because he loved to watch his children play sports. He was an extraordinary role model, leaving us all with the lesson, “Just do the right thing”.

He is survived by his wife, Judith Anne of Carrollton, Va., with whom he just celebrated fifty years of marriage, his children, Kelly Sowden (John) of Smithfield, Va., Eric Shaffner (Sarah) of Virginia Beach, Va., his brother Randy Shaffner (Cheryl) of Monument, Co., nieces Heather Stephens (Jessie), Amber Green, and grandchildren Kelson and Kennedy Sowden of Smithfield, Va. His love and commitment to his family and friends will leave a lasting legacy that we will aspire to emulate for the rest of our lives.

He will be laid to rest at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery with full military honors. Online condolences may be registered at www.littlesfuneralhome.com.