Joseph B. (Joe) Shaver of Crozet, VA passed away on August 10th, 2023. He was born on July 19th, 1946, in Wheeling, WVa. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ken and Sue Shaver, and his brother, Jim Shaver, as well as a dear nephew, David Shaver. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Patty Shaver; his two children, Chris Shaver of Columbus, OH and his fiancé Tabitha Morris and daughter Stacy Shaver Williams of Crozet, VA and her husband, Brad and their three children; Grace, Laurel, and Cadence. Also surviving are a nephew, Fritz Shaver as well as a great-nephew, Cody Shaver and great-niece, Dallas Shaver.
Joe graduated from high school at the Linsly Military Institute in Wheeling, WVa. He received a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology at West Liberty State College in West Liberty, WVa. and a master’s degree in public administration from The Ohio State University.
Joe served four years with the US Army Security Agency from 1967-1971. He was a voice intercept operator in the Spanish language.
After graduation from college, Joe began a career with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction in Cleveland, OH in 1973 as a parole officer. Three years later he was reassigned to Columbus, OH and when he retired in 2001, he had been the Chief of the Bureau of Labor Relations for the last 10 years.
Upon retirement in 2001 Joe and Patty moved to Lake Monticello, VA. They were motivated to relocate to central Virginia in as much as their daughter, Stacy, had married and settled down in the area. Their desire was to await the arrival of their grandchildren. Joe enjoyed retirement and worked part time at both Laurel Ridge and Lake Monticello golf courses. There he made many friends and acquaintances. He was also a frequent golfer and played with the Gray Foxes at Lake Monticello, but he demonstrated that he was the personification of the word “duffer!”
Joe always enjoyed song and a day never went by without his singing or whistling a tune on more than one occasion. In retirement he pursued music by singing with the Jeffersonland Barbershop Chorus for a couple of years. He then joined the Fluvanna Community Singers and enjoyed making music with them for several years.
In retirement, both Joe and Patty became very active with Grace and Glory Lutheran Church in Fluvanna County. In addition to singing in the choir, Joe served on different committees and on the Leadership Team (church council). He taught a confirmation age Sunday School class and coordinated a group that cleaned up the road in front of the church for the state’s Adopt-A-Road program.
In 2020, Joe and Patty sold their home and moved to Crozet just two blocks away from Stacy and her family. They joined Tabor Presbyterian Church where Joe was an active member and elected Elder. As always, his outgoing personality made him a known figure around their apartment complex and neighborhood shops.
However, Joe’s favorite activity, which he had done for many years before his retirement, was to don a red suit and perform the role of Santa Clause. Once retired he was able to begin to grow his beard longer starting in the summer, so that he would not have to wear a fake wig and beard. In Virginia he would play the role for senior centers, The Alyssa House, Kluge Children’s Rehabilitation center, and various private events. Usually beginning in October or November he would begin wearing the hat out in public, to the mall and grocery store, and welcomed gleeful reactions, especially from the children. For Joe, it was a mission of spreading joy.
Celebration of Life for Joe will be held at Tabor Presbyterian Church in Crozet, VA on Wednesday September 6th at 1pm. As many of you know Joe loved bright colors. For this celebration, please dress accordingly if you’d like. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Tabor Presbyterian Church in Crozet or to the charity of your choice. If you’d like to honor Joe, try to spread a little peace, love, and Life is Good in your daily life.