Raymond M. Shipley

Born March 11, 1928

Raymond passed away peacefully in sleep May 22, 2013.

He is survived by his wife of 34 years Ruby, three sons Mark, Billy and Timothy, four daughters Kimberly De-Gren, Diana Shipley, Rebecca Hill and Margaret Holmes and a sister Margaret LaFarrera. He is preceded by his Son Steven. He has 20 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Raymond was born in Baltimore Maryland. While he was a young man in Baltimore he sold newspapers on the corner streets. He served in the Army-Air Force from 1951 to 1962. During that time he was stationed in Japan during World War II and in Korea during the Korean War. He received the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Br CL w/2 Loops SO 395/58, 6486th ABWg, Air Force Longevity Service Award w/2 br OLC.

While in the service he married Virginia and had two sons (Mark and Steve) and two daughters (Diane and Kimberly). He lost his son Steve to an accident in September 2000.

In June 1980 he remarried to Ruby and they had a daughter (Margaret). Ruby had three children from a previous marriage (Billy, Timothy, Rebecca) and they were all adopted by Raymond and became Shipley’s. He had a full family.

In October 1984 he and his family moved from Texas to Maryland. He became actively involved in the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and AMVETS. He is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, AMVETS and MOC. He was Maryland Department Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars 2003-2004. During this time the service Men and Women stationed in Iraq due to the 9-11 attacks were being sent home for a short visit with their families. In October 2003 Raymond went to BWI Airport at 4am every morning to meet the flight and made sure they were all taken care of and sent home immediately. This was also a great rehab for him since he had just had his second by-pass surgery in August. He talked to United Airlines and made arrangements with them that as soon as they debark from the plane that they would not have to wait hours or days to get home since their time was limited before they had to return. The Washington Post heard about what he was doing and did a story on him and put it on the front page. He also was interviewed by Voice of America and aired on their show. NBC nightly News with Tom Brokaw did a story on him and aired on his news program. Raymond did not do this for the publicity. His heart was always dedicated to helping others no matter who they were. He was a loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother and person.

Everyone loved him and he had a lot of friends. When he met someone they were no longer strangers. He will be greatly missed.

Family and friends will gather at the Robert E. Evans Funeral Home, 16000 Annapolis Road, Bowie, Maryland 20715 on Saturday, May 25, 2013 from 2 to 6 pm. A VFW service will be held at 5 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bowie Memorial VFW Ladies Auxiliary, 8065 for Cancer Aide and Research.