Obituary: Charles Shainker

Charles “Buddy” Shainker was born in Atlanta June 11, 1927, son of Barnett and Sadye Wender Shainker. He was a beloved father, grandfather (Zayde), uncle, cousin, and friend to so many. He deeply loved each of his children and grandchildren.

Buddy was a proud graduate of Atlanta’s Boys High School (December 1944), before enlisting in the U.S. Navy where he served aboard Patrol Craft 1549 in the Pacific during World War II (1945) and in 1946. He graduated from the University of Georgia (BBA 1949) where he served very actively in Tau Epsilon Phi (TEP) Fraternity.

After college, he spent five years travelling in sales for Scripto, then 20 years in securities and investment banking with several firms. He was the first to offer discount broker commissions in the Southeast, and he introduced option writing to the Atlanta area with lectures and seminars. Buddy then began a successful 35-year sales career with Zep Manufacturing, working into his 80s (he said work kept him healthy and young). He exercised everyday into his 90s, including twice weekly tennis until the age of 94 at Bitsy Grant Tennis Center. He enjoyed watching every Atlanta Braves and UGA football game. He was a huge lifetime UGA Bulldog fan, attending his first game in 1939. He traveled and cruised extensively worldwide.

Buddy served as the youngest president of Atlanta’s Progressive Club (1960) and, for 17 years, he served on the board of Atlanta’s Ahavath Achim (AA) Synagogue where his family were charter members in 1886. He was president of the Alumni Club for TEP in Georgia and on TEP’s national governing board for several years. For many years, he actively served the Jewish Welfare Board. He also supported several charities including American Red Cross, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, and others.

Buddy is survived by his four children (with Jacky Jordan), daughter, Eileen (Tony) Tantillo (Atlanta), sons, Kenneth (Laura) Shainker (Bedford, Texas), David (Laura) Shainker (Atlanta), and Russell (Lisa) Shainker (Atlanta), grandchildren, Lisa and Kevin Tantillo, Margaux St. Germain, Mariah Krueger, Juliet Shainker, Mike Ward, Clifton Reynolds, Brent Mayhan, Sarah Shainker Connelly (Kyle), Jessica Shainker Dolder (Ben), and Benjamin Shainker, and Brian Shainker, stepchildren, Harlan (Sherrie) Kinsler and Sharon Karlan, and step-grandchildren. Buddy was predeceased by his sister, Bernice Shainker Toran Alter.

Burial services were held on Wednesday, Aug. 27, at 2:30 p.m. at Crest Lawn Memorial Park 2000 Marietta Blvd, NW, Atlanta. Shiva followed the service until 8:30 p.m. at 520 Riverhill Drive, Sandy Springs, 30328. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Winship Cancer Center (Emory University), Ahavath Achim Synagogue Barnett and Sadye Shainker Memorial Fund, Bremen Jewish Home, or American Cancer Society.