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Donald Gerard "Don" Shipps
has left us! He left with his Bible by his bed side. We his family and the community are in shock over his passing. Born August 22, 1952, to Chester W. and Elizabeth A. Shipps. He was united in marriage on March 11, 1977, to Brenda Fossett, later divorced, and from this union came two children who survive him, Ian Hunter and LeAndra Don and her significant other, Steven Jackson. He is also survived by his grandson, Masaaba Jackson-Shipps; his father, Chester W. Shipps; his brothers, Chester A. Shipps and his wife, Monica, and David L. Shipps and his wife, Ann; sisters, Mary Elizabeth Holden and her husband, Melvin, Margaret Louise Fannell, Cecelia Ann Shipps, Stephanie Elaine Shipps-Wynn, and Josetta Marie Shipps; some of his nieces are, Tanya Nelson of Newport News, Va., Dea Shipps-Wilson of Indianapolis, Ind., Melissa Shipps of Las Vegas, Ne., Latoya Wynn, of Chicago, Ill.; and nephews, Mark Washington of Phoenix, Ariz., John Holden of Wichita, Kan., Christopher Shipps of Seattle, Wash., Allen Davis of Carthage, Mo., Clinton Fannell of Scottsdale, Arizona, Alistair Fannell of Springfield, Mo., and Ra Shipps of Anchorage, Ala.; and many more nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. When one spoke of Don Shipps, one spoke of a "Shining Light" not only on stage but in life. He had touched so many and will leave a hole in the fabric of all the lives he touched. His musicianship was unquestioned. He mentored to so many and ministered to the elderly as well. His religious fervor was expressed at an early age with his emulations of the mass ceremony early in the mornings and late at night. One vivid incident involved the dining room table and some artificial flowers that erupted in flames. Mom and dad didn't know what to do, they simply talked to him about the need for safety. Most of the family during that time thought Don was going to be the priest in the family. But then Mom gave Don accordion lessons, which strained the family's listening skills. Don practiced after school at night and sometimes if he could get away with it in the morning. It drove most of us batty, because I don't care how many doors one closes to tune out the sound, accordion music carries. Don started his interest in the guitar through the popularity of the Beatles. He bought all of their early records and would try to emulate their technique by playing the guitar. He virtually taught himself how to play the guitar and then the bass. Thus his priest career fell by the way side. However, his devotion to the church and prayer never wavered. Music, baseball and church defined Donald's life. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 698. All the various bands he played with attest to the breadth of knowledge and experience he had achieved. We his family and all of his friends will share the memory of a loving, caring and sharing, happy-golucky performer, who shared the legacy of knowledge and art with us all and especially his religious commitment to church and God. He will be sorely missed. Funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 28, 2004, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1115 N. Campbell. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery under the care of Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday with Rosary services starting at 7 p.m., all in the church. A memorial gathering will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Don's memory to Bank of America.
As Published in the Springfield News-Leader 07/26/04 |
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When Tomorrow Starts Without Me
When tomorrow starts without me, and I'm not there to see;
If the sun should rise and find your eyes, all filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn't cry, the way you did today,
while thinking of the many things, we didn't get to say.
I know how much you love me, as much as I love you,
and each time that you think of me, I know you'll miss me too;
But when tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand,
that an angel came and called my name, and took me by the hand,
and said my place was ready, in Heaven far above,
and that I'd have to leave behind, all those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my eye,
for all my life, I'd always thought, I didn't want to die.
I had so much to live for, so much yet to do,
it seemed almost impossible, that I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays, the good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared, and all the fun we had.
If I could relive yesterday, just even for awhile,
I'd say goodbye and kiss you and maybe see you smile.
But then I fully realized, that this could never be,
for emptiness and memories, would take the place of me.
And when I thought of worldly things, I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did, my heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through heaven's gates, I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me, from His great golden throne,
He said, "This is Eternity, all I've promised you".
Today your life on Earth is past, but here it starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last,
and since each day's the same day, there's no longing for the past.
But you have been so faithful, so trusting and so true.
Though there were times you did some things, you knew you shouldn't do.
But you have been forgiven and now at last you're free.
So won't you take my hand and share my life with me?
So when tomorrow starts without me,
don't think we're far apart,
for every time you think of me,
I'm right here,
in your heart.
~David M. Romano  |
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