2/23/1954 – 11/23/2025
Lawrence
Born Stuart Lee Shafer on 2/23/54 to Norma Lea Curry and Lloyd Theodore Shafer in Hays, KS, Stu left this world peacefully from Lawrence on 11/23/25 after living resiliently with brain cancer for over 4 years. Stu grew up in Great Bend, Kansas City, Houston, and St Louis, and graduated from Western Michigan University, KU, and UC San Diego with degrees in English, Environmental Studies, and Sociology. WMU’s School of Homesteading program inspired his life’s work. He was professor of sociology and sustainable agriculture at Johnson County Community College, developing the successful campus Open Petal Farm. He was an organic grower for Rolling Prairie Farmers Alliance.
Stu wanted to change his world, and he did. He was active in social justice, anti-war, and antiimperialist movements, was a forty year Merc co-op member, and spent many years in the leadership of the Kansas Rural Center. Stu married Patti Dickinson in 1978 after sitting behind her on an Amtrak train and making her laugh with a silly comment. In the 80’s they moved 10 times and had 2 wonderful children who were raised on their rural Oskaloosa farm, where Stu grew vegetables and fruit for Rolling Prairie.
Survivors include wife Patti of Lawrence, daughter Miriam (Lee) Numata and wife Ako of Joplin; son Michael Heron Lee of Oskaloosa and his daughter October, the light of Stu’s life; sister Melinda Huston and husband John of Lawrence; brother Kevin Shafer and wife Dori of Pleasant Hill, CA; sister Karen Johnson and husband Don of Iowa City; many nieces and nephews; and many dear friends and colleagues with whom he loved to study and ponder and dream of a better world.
The family thanks Drs. Soule and Klish and the nurses of LMH Oncology for helping Stu live much longer than expected, and VNA Hospice for their care when Stu was ready to move on.
Stu supported many charities and dear to his heart was the Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship at Johnson County Community College, to help grow more independent farmers.
Please tell us your memories on Stu’s page at Rumsey-yost.com.
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