James Lloyd Shipley's Obituary
James Shipley, 99, of Tipton, Missouri, passed away on Thursday, July 21, 2022, at his home. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at First Baptist Church in Tipton at 1PM. Visitation will be from 11-1PM Saturday at the church. Burial with full military honors will be Monday, August 1, 2022, at the Higginsville Veterans Cemetery. Services will be live streamed at 1:00 PM through the HT May & Son Funeral Home Facebook page and can be found at https://www.facebook.com/htmayfuneralhome.
James Lloyd Shipley was born on June 29, 1923 in Tipton, Missouri to Galveston Leroy and Frances Arvenia Redmon Shipley. James was born the third of six children. His mother sold Madam C.J. Walker hair care products and had a hairdressing business out of the home. His father was a student, a teacher, and eventually principal of Harrison School, an all Black school. James had the lifelong dream of becoming a mechanic. James’ fascination with engines gave him an opportunity to sign up with an all Black fighter group, now known as the legendary Tuskegee Airmen. In 1942, at 19 years old, he volunteered to join the all Black Army Air Corps at a time when many did not believe African Americans should be in the United States Armed Forces. After completing his basic training at Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama, he started aircraft mechanic school in Lincoln, Nebraska where he learned how to rebuild and assemble all parts of the airplane such as, rebuilding engines, taking off propellers, working on wings, and learning the whole structure of the plane. Next, he went on to Detroit, Michigan to gain more knowledge operating airplanes and how to get them ready for preflight and postflight. After completing his training, he was deployed to Italy as a crew chief and earned the rank of Staff Sergeant.After the war, James returned to Tipton and enjoyed a career as an auto mechanic. He started his career at Paul Miller Garage before transitioning to Co-Mo Electric Cooperative, where he retired after 29 years of employment.
It was one fateful day that James decided to accompany his father to a local school track meet that would bring about the most profound changes in his life and lay the foundation for a new relationship. At the track meet, James laid eyes on Mildred Bruce, a Boonville native, who was dressed in her cheerleading outfit rooting for her school. Eventually mustering the courage to make an approach, the Red Tails veteran sauntered over to the young woman who captured his attention. The couple were united in marriage on December 7, 1949. In this union, they became proud parents of two sons and one daughter.
His quest to be an independent man and care for his family led him to be one of the last Black farmers in mid-Missouri having raised and butchered hogs for decades. James and Mildred also owned and operated a gas station in Tipton on 50 Highway during the 1950s. While working for Co-Mo and with the encouragement of their children, James and Mildred sold fireworks from a tent on 5 Highway south of town for many years.
James dedicated countless hours to his community and church. He was a faithful member of Prairie Grove Baptist Church over 80 years and served as Sunday School Teacher, Deacon, and Superintendent of the Sunday School as well as holding other offices in the Church. He held various offices in Central District Association faithfully serving as Central District Camp Director for over 15 years touching the lives of many adults and youth. Also, serving as the Central District Layman President, Central District President, other offices and committees. James was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion. James was also an honorary board member of The United States Exercise Tiger Foundation. He served on various community boards and commitees.
It was not until many years after Shipley’s service in World War II that he received his long overdue honors, accolades, and recognition. In 2007, Shipley received a replica of the Congressional Gold Medal that President George W. Bush presented collectively to the Tuskegee Airmen as a unit for their stellar record in combat. This is the highest honor Congress can give civilians. In 2013, Shipley went on an honor flight organized to take World War II veterans to visit the war memorials in Washington, D.C. In 2017, a biography “Together As One” the legacy of James Shipley, World War II Tuskegee Airman was written by Jeremy Amick. In 2019, Shipley went to Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington to discuss his life and experience as a Tuskegee Airmen with the Air Force Base. In 2020 – another life milestone – after 79 years, he received his honorary High School diploma from Tipton High School, at the age of 97. In 2021, Shipley experienced flying in a PT-17 Steaman biplane, the aircraft the United States Army Air Corps used to train Tuskegee Pilots. James has also received other medals and honors throughout the years.
James was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle,and a friend. A man of humility, his humble spirit will forever hold a place in our hearts forever.
James is preceded in death by his parents, Galveston and Frances Shipley; his brothers, Lee Frederick Shipley, Rev. Dr. David O. Shipley, and Leland Ronald Shipley; and his sister, Miriam “Gerdy”,“Geraldine” McCreary.
James is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 72 years, Mildred; his children, Kenneth Shipley, Cynthia (Harold) McPherson, and Timothy Shipley; his sister, Rosalind Russell. He also leaves his eight grandchildren to cherish his memory, Kaylyn Jordan, Aaron McPherson, Kenisha Lumpkin, Kishele Shipley, Arielle McPherson, Kasandra Shipley, Tatum Shipley, and Timori Shipley, his ten great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
“For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we belong to the Lord”- Romans 14:8
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