Joseph R. Shafer (1916–1995): A Life Devoted to Family, Sports, and Service
Joseph Richard Shafer (1916–1995): Building Community Through Sports, Service, and Family
Born and raised in Granger, Utah, Joseph Richard Shafer (1916–1995) was the kind of man who poured his heart into his community
Joseph Richard Shafer: Building Community Through Sports, Service, and Family
Born and raised in Granger, Utah, Joseph Richard Shafer was the kind of man who poured his heart into his community. Living at 1734 W. 3500 South with his wife and children, Joe balanced being a devoted father of six with running a thriving business, serving in civic organizations, and creating opportunities for youth to grow through sports.
The son of Mr. and Mrs. Clifford A. Shafer, Joe attended Granite High School before working as a painter for the Utah Copper Company for a decade. Seeking a more active and engaging life, he joined the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office, where he served for seven years.
In 1938, Joe married Norma Petersen, a lifelong Granger resident and graduate of Cyprus High School. Together, they raised two sons—Richard Lee and Norman Joe—and four daughters—Linda, Diane, Fern, and Mary. Life in the Shafer household was always busy, but it was also rich in love, laughter, and service.
Joe’s passion for sports was one of the defining threads of his life. In 1955, seeing a gap between Little League and older youth leagues, he organized Granger’s first Pony League baseball program for boys aged 12 to 15. He served as president for three years, coaching teams, sponsoring players through his store—Joe’s Sporting and Clothing—and jokingly calling himself “president, umpire, statistics keeper, park superintendent, etc.” His leadership didn’t stop on the ballfield—he also coached the M Men basketball team for the Granger Third Ward.
Beyond sports, Joe dedicated himself to civic leadership. He served as president of the Granger Lions Club from 1956–57 and chaired the Granger Community Park. He worked to ensure that young men aging out of the Pony League found a place in the Salt Lake Amateur League, keeping them connected to the game they loved.
Norma was equally active in the community, serving on the Primary Stake Board as a Lark Leader, leading the Lady Lions of Granger, helping run the family store, and raising their six children. She often reflected on how the business grew—from a small restaurant to a complete variety store—through hard work and community support.
Those who knew the Shafer family spoke of them with genuine affection. As one of Joe’s employees once said, “Each and every one in the Shafer family is a joy to know.” It was a fitting tribute to a man who built more than a store, more than a ballfield—he built a legacy of service, sportsmanship, and family values that enriched Granger for generations.
