Donald Lee Shipman

November 28, 1933 - September 13, 2017

Donald Lee Shipman, 83, of North Myrtle Beach, died Wednesday, September 13, 2017 in Myrtle Beach.

Born in Oklahoma City, OK, to Thelma Jefferies Shipman and Ben Cameron Shipman, Don was the younger brother to Ben C. Shipman Jr. of St. Louis, MO, who survives him. Don was a proud veteran of the Korean War, serving the Army Security Agency as a Morse Code intercept officer from 1951-1954. After his service, he was hired by the Bethlehem Steel Corporation to work in the new field of data processing. Don and his wife, Barrie Simmen Hessler, settled in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, raising four children. After retiring in 1985 they relocated to N. Myrtle Beach, where they made dear friends and found a wonderful church community at First Church of Christ, Scientist in Myrtle Beach, and Don continued to consult with firms in Europe and South America.

A lifelong Amateur Radio (ham) operator, W3RDF, Don spent countless hours in his radio shack building radios and communicating with operators around the world. He held leadership positions at First Church of Christ Scientist in Bethlehem and Myrtle Beach, and was a graduate of Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, PA. He was also a proud founding member and officer of the Lehigh Valley Dirt Riders.

Don is survived by his four children: Donna L. Acerra (Mario) of Bethlehem, PA, Bonnie S. Kerola of Espoo, Finland, Mark D. Shipman (Cindy) of Bethlehem, PA, and Cameron T. Shipman (Susan) of Allentown, PA, and thirteen grandchildren, each whom had a special relationship with Don. He delighted in getting to know his four young great-grandchildren.

Don was predeceased by his wife of 48 years, Barrie, who passed on in 2003. He will be deeply missed by his dear friend and loving companion, Jo Ann Goulet of Bedford, NH and her family.

The family welcomes all who knew Don to a memorial service on Sunday, October 15 at Lee Funeral Home in Little River, SC with visitation beginning at 4 PM followed by a service at 5 PM. An interment service with military honors will be held at Florence National Cemetery on Monday, October 16 at 11AM.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to First Church of Christ, Scientist, 408 66th Ave. N., Myrtle Beach, SC 29572

For more insight into his military experience and ham radio hobby, check out these two links:

https://youtu.be/DBLi_NNwEww

https://youtu.be/jDEKng00Q9U

A guestbook is available at www.leefhandcrematory.com.

Lee Funeral Home & Crematory of Little River/North Myrtle Beach is serving the family.