On Monday, April 1, 2019, Kevin Schafer died at his home in Lincoln surrounded by family.
Kevin Lee Schafer was born in Kearney, Nebraska on August 25, 1979 to parents Jeff Schafer and Judy (Schamp) Schafer McFadden. He graduated from Litchfield High School and received a bachelor’s degree in Aviation Safety from Embry- Riddle Aeronautical University.
Kevin served as plane captain for F-18 fighter jets in the United States Navy from 1997 to 2004. As a sailor, Kevin Schafer was a man of many words, most of which they wouldn’t let me write in this obituary. He always had a way with these words, and if directed at you, would often leave you speechless, with your jaw on the ground, wondering if maybe you were mistaken. Then you would laugh harder than you ever thought you could.
Kevin married his best friend Amber (Hammond) Schafer on February 1, 2019. He loved the sunset and his favorite fishing spot. Even more so, he loved sharing these with Amber. The fishing spot will remain undisclosed, and if you ask, we will respond as Kevin would have wanted, ‘Don’t worry about it.’
Kevin was a father to Mallery Schafer, Hattie Hammond-Coufal, Justin Schafer, and Emalyn Hammond-Coufal. It is without question that he loved each of his children more than one could begin to understand. After each surgery, his first audible words were always, ‘Are my kids ok?’ In his last few hours, these voices, along with the voice of his wife Amber, were the only earthly sounds that could get him to smile and respond with a resounding, ‘I love you.’
As a brother, Kevin brought us balance. When brothers Clint and Zach took life too seriously, he was always there to remind them, in his own special way, that we needed to chill out. He would introduce us to comedians and the finest pranksters on TV. He was always sure-hearted when it came to making sure the world didn’t alter his personality, and as brothers, we knew this all too well.
Kevin met many friends along the way as a sailor, during his time at Lincoln Airport, and playing softball. As a friend, showed his personality in full. If you didn’t like it, then you probably weren’t friends with Kevin, and this was okay by him. This integrity made him loyal in more ways than one. He was the first to laugh with you and fight for you. Shane Stueck and Chad Lay, the Boomers softball team, his hometown friends, and all his buddies from the Navy will forever know Kevin for the outstanding friend he was.
As their son, Judy McFadden, his deceased father Jeff Schafer, and his step-father George McFadden, knew Kevin for all the good and the bad. He was a tough-nosed rebel that was still slightly sour about the “satisfactory” grade his mother gave him in grade school. Moreso he was a loving son who would be there whenever he was needed.
It is without a doubt that Kevin is currently fishing with his dad in heaven. He is discreetly pulling lures out of his tackle bag so no one will know his secrets and noting to his dad that, yes, you can, in fact, cast braided line into the weeds without getting snagged. For this sailor, his ship has sailed. May Metallica and Lynyrd Skynyrd play him home.
Kevin is preceded in death by his father and grandparents Lois and Wayne Schafer of Beatrice and Richard and Dorothy Schamp of Lincoln.
Kevin is survived by his wife Amber and their four children; mother Judy (George) McFadden of Loup City; stepmom Rhonda Schafer of York; brothers Clint (Megahn) and Zach (special friend Becca Simley) all of Lincoln; father and mother in-law “Good Buddy” Butch and Bonnie Hammond of Alma; sister-in-law Ashley (Jonas) Smith of Waterville, KS; brothers-in-law Arik (Sara) Hammond of Republican City and Jordan (Meranda) Hammond of Holdrege and numerous loving aunts, uncles, nieces (Haley, Taya, Kallie, Isabella, Grace, Savannah, Avery, Reagan, Avery), nephews(Will, Eli, Ashton, Damon, Tyson, Isaac, Creighton, Banks, Jordan, Layne, Tyler, Christian, Brenden, Jaxson), cousins, and friends.
Funeral Service: 2:00 p.m. Saturday (4-6-19) Roper and Sons Chapel, 4300 ‘O’ Street with Pastor Paul Ferrone and Pastor Dan Warnes officiating.
Memorials to the family for future designation.
Visitation with family present from 6-8 p.m. Friday at Roper and Sons O Street Chapel.