A memorial service will take place at 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 20, at Southside Baptist Church in Bowie, with Dr. Tony Rogers and Harold Clary officiating. Family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. prior to the service, at the church on Friday.

Sam was born in Shamrock, Texas, on October 31, 1960, to Samuel Cappel and Patsy (Harding) Schaffer. After graduation from Wheeler High School in 1979, Sam went to work for Greenbelt Electric Co-Op in Wellington, TX until December 1983. January 1, 1984, started a 38-year career at Denton County Electric Co-Op, later named CoServ Electric, in Corinth, Texas, until his retirement November 2, 2022.

Sam and his wife, Leilani, had many plans and dreams after his retirement but that was not in God’s plans. Sam was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) on Leilani’s birthday in January 2023. His form of this disease was very progressive and ultimately took his last breath with his wife and children by his side. Leilani being able to serve as his full-time caregiver was a blessing and it showed how much they cherished each other. Sam was always the one to take care of his family and so it was hard for him to let someone take care of him. Both of his daughters were also able to help care for Sam.

For those lucky enough to have crossed paths with Sam knew he was a man of intense personalities at times, but he did with it love. He was well respected in all aspects of life, from family and friends to coworkers and colleagues.

He is preceded in death by his father, sister Carla Bond, niece Tabitha Bond Longraf, and father-in-love Rex Bell.

Sam is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Leilani (Bell) of Bowie and their daughter, Jeileigh Schaffer of Bowie; children, Jeremy Schaffer and wife Mary of Rhome, JT Schaffer and wife Jordan of Alvord, and Samantha Thiessen and husband Ryan of Denton; and bonus son, TJ May of Denton. He is also lovingly remembered by his mother Patsy Schaffer of Bowie. Pappy will be greatly missed and cherished by his grandkids Chandler, Grayson, Finn and Lucy.

Sam’s memory and antics will be remembered by his Granny-in-love Marcella Dimock, mom-in-love Nita Bell, sister-in-love Valerie Young and family all of Pilot Point; brother-in-love Brandon Bell and family of Henrietta; great-nieces, Patience and Malach Longraf of Phoenix, Arizona; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and numerous friends.

Expressions of sympathy to Sam’s family are appreciated, but in lieu of flowers please donate to Southside Baptist Church, the ALS Foundation, or to Jeileigh’s college fund at Wellington State Bank.

Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie, Texas.