Obituary of Harold Lee Shaffer

Shaffer, Harold Lee, 87, of Vinton, VA, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, March 5, 2015. Known as “The Tax Man,” a term of endearment from his clients, he established his ongoing tax and bookkeeping business in 1965, where Mr. Shaffer was actively engaged in serving clients until his passing. The Tax Man Inc. continues to operate at its office on Peters Creek Road. The Tax Man’s innovations included the first mobile tax service and full-service financial guidance for individuals and corporations. Mr. Shaffer was the accountant involved in a precedent-setting 1973 U.S. Supreme Court case that determined constitutional questions relating to the application of the 5th Amendment privilege to certain corporate records. In addition to his accounting and entrepreneurial careers, Mr. Shaffer formerly taught business courses at Virginia Southern College and served in the U.S. Army, stationed at Pearl Harbor, HI. A music lover, Mr. Shaffer sang with the Virginia Gentlemen Barber Shop Harmony and played the piano, guitar, and sax. His smile could be recognized warming the hearts of kids of all ages as a member of the local Clown Unit of the Kazim Temple Shriners associated with his Masonic Lodge membership. He also was an accomplished speaker, and served as president of Roanoke Toastmasters Club 1011 and governor of Area 11 Toastmasters International. A devout Christian, Mr. Shaffer was a member of First Baptist Church in downtown Roanoke. He leaves behind the love of his life, his beloved “Redhead,” Janet Wood. His loving daughters by his ex-wife Geraldine H. Shaffer: Karen Boxer (Los Angeles, CA), Larissa Arnold (Roanoke, VA) and Judy Stabolepszy (Milton, PA) and sons-in-law: Jonathan Boxer, Jerry Arnold, and Charles Stabolepszy. His loving daughters through Janet: Jana Stanley and Jo-Zette Nakajima all of Roanoke, VA and son-in-law to be: Hugh Bolton. Grandchildren include: Summer Jauneaud and husband Bruno Jauneaud (Tel-Aviv, Israel), Derek Arnold and girlfriend Steph Bourne, Bryon Arnold, Nicholas Nakajima, Jamie Robertson, and Justin Weldon (Roanoke Valley area). Great-grandchildren include: Chloe Jauneaud, Chiara Jauneaud, Camille Jauneaud, Anthony Jauneaud, Remy Jauneaud, Jasmine Brickey, Cheyenne Robertson, Destiny Robertson, John Robertson, Jaydan Weldon, and Jayce Weldon. He is preceded in death by his loving mother, Francis Edith Beheler Shaffer Sharp and father, Joseph McInturf Shaffer. Mr. Shaffer had many friends and extended family: a special acknowledgement is made to his cousins, office staff, and clientele whom he loved dearly. The family would like to extend their gratitude and appreciation to Dr. Paul D. Richards and staff at the Blue Ridge Cancer Care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the American Cancer Society. Funeral services will be conducted 3 p.m. Sunday, March 15, 2015 at Simpson Funeral Home 5160 Peters Creek Road by Dr. Phillip Martin of First Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 13, 2015, and 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Saturday, March 14, 2015 at Simpson Funeral Home.