Dr. Philip Stuart Shafer, of Fayetteville, N.C., passed away on June 7, 2006. He was born in Roanoke, Virginia on May 5, 1918 to Robert E. Lee Shafer and Laura Moomaw Shafer. Philip graduated from Jefferson Senior High School in Roanoke, Virginia in June 1936, where he was President of the senior class. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Virginia, graduating Phi Beta Kappa, a Master of Arts degree from Columbia University, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Luther Rice Seminary International. Prior to World War II, Philip attended the Julliard School of Music in New York City and worked as an actor and singer on Broadway. As a member of a quartet, he performed in musicals such as, Dubarry Was a Lady, with Bert Lahr and Mae West. He also performed with Eddie Cantor, Milton Berle and Al Jolson. Philip joined the Army Air Corps in January 1942 as a pilot. He served in the ChinaBurma-India Theater of Operations, flying 144 missions over the Himalayan Mountains, known as "flying the Hump". For his wartime service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross the Air Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with a bronze Service Star and the Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster. After the war, Philip worked as a pilot for Pan American Airlines. He returned to the Air Force as a test pilot, and served as Deputy Commander of USAF Research and Development test Group, and as Deputy Director of USAF Flight Test. He retired from the Air Force in February 1970. Philip was the founder and first pastor of the interdenominational Maranatha Bible Church of Dayton, Ohio. He later worked for the Cumberland County Schools as High School Industrial Training Coordinator, Director of Occupational Education, Director of Safety, and Coordinator of Security, retiring in 1983. He was the founder and President of Fayetteville Right to Life, a charter member of Full Gospel Businessmen's Fellowship International, a professor at Carolina Bible College, a Christian counselor and an Advisory Staff Member of HAS Cumberland Hospital. Philip also attended the Church of the Open Door in Fayetteville. Philip was a man of exemplary character. He loved reading and studying the Bible and faithfully memorized God's Word. As an impassioned crusader for Christ, he was always ready to share the gospel and responsive to pray for anyone in need. He was an honorable man of high integrity and unswerving devotion to God.