Shay Shafie

Shay Shafie was born to Jeanie and Eddie Shafie on July 3, 1969 in Austin. He was the middle child– and the tallest Shafie of them all. At 6-foot-4, Shay was always a force to be reckoned with – from his time crushing players on the football field to beating the crap out of anyone who picked on his family to developing entire communities. So, it was no surprise to any of us that -- during the fight of his life – Shay gave it all he had. He simply refused to go without a fight.

In July, Shay suffered a pulmonary embolism. For 3 months, he battled one complication after another, including at least 30 strokes. His team of doctors did everything they could to save Shay and his family is grateful for the care he received.

He passed peacefully on October 7, 2018 at Memorial Hermann Medical Center in Houston. He was surrounded by some of the people he loved the most: his wife, Buffy, his brother, Shad and his mother-in-law, Sherrill. We’re all grateful he wasn’t alone – and there’s no doubt in our minds that Shay knew they were with him.

Shay graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1992, with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He was a two-year letterman for the Texas Longhorns football team and played from 1987 to 1991. In the 1991 season, Shay was a starting offensive lineman and team captain-he bled burnt orange. He also played football at Smithville High School where he graduated in 1987.

In 1999, Shay joined the Johnson Development Company (JDC) family and began his career as a developer. He left for a brief stint with a builder and another developer before returning to Johnson in 2008 as the General Manager over Imperial. He had a lot of fun during his career, imploding buildings and watching his vision for each project take shape and become a reality. While with JDC, he worked on the following projects: Riverstone, Imperial and his beloved Harvest Green.

Shay was proud to be part of JDC and considered himself lucky to belong to their family. He loved working closely with his team - Heather, Jerry and David-

to bring his vision for each community to life. They worked tirelessly and he was so proud of all they accomplished together.

Shay loved his life – he lived it to the fullest. But more than anything, Shay loved his wife. He and Buffy were a team, best friends, life-partners and soulmates. He was a fantastic brother, loving son -- and one of the coolest, most fun and loyal friends you could ever have. We are heartbroken. How can someone so larger-than-life be gone? But the moments we all shared and the memories we made with Shay -- are enough to keep us smiling for a lifetime.

Shay is survived by his wife of 23 years, Jessica “Buffy” Shafie, his father, Eddie Shafie, step-mother Mary Shafie, sister, Sherene, her husband Chris Mayner and her children, Eddie McKinney and Adara Mayner; brother, Shad Shafie, his wife, Delaine and their daughters Layla and Malea; step sister, Lisa McFarlane, her husband Michael, and their children Elizabeth and Patrick; step brother, Chris Richter, his wife Rachel and their children Mary, CJ and Emily; aunt, June Pace; uncle, John Johnson; mother-in-law, Sherrill Lindsey; brother-in-law, Chris Lindsey, his wife, Molly and their children, Christopher, Olivia, Catherine, Claudia and Ella. Shay is preceded in death by his mother, Jeanie Freeman, nephew, Garrett McKinney and father-in-law, William Lindsey.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, October 20, 2018, from 6-8pm at Harvest Green Recreation Center in Richmond, TX.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the University of Texas Houston Health Science Center of Neurology: https://Giving.UTH.EDU/memorial