Joseph Franklyn Shipes, Ph.D., 77, of Yorktown, Virginia, departed this earth on Tuesday, November 19, 2019.
Born in Augusta, GA in 1942, Joe was a resident of York County since 1995. He was predeceased by his grandparents, Rufus Anderson and Agnes Bensch Anderson (loco parentis,) and his birth parents, Charles Franklyn "Snookie" Shipes and Dorothy Anderson Shipes Jung.
Joe is survived by his beloved wife, Dr. Barbara Greene Shipes and three daughters of his heart: his nieces, Amy Thomas Coleman (Douglas) of Augusta, GA, Audra Jo Thomas of Brooklyn, NY, and Tara Jane Thomas of Charlotte, NC. Survivors also include his half-brother, Walter J. Jung, Jr. (Linda) of Harlem, GA; two half sisters, Susan Jung Kreitlow, of Atlanta, GA;, and Pamela Jung Cline (Michael) of Lithia Springs, GA; an extended family of in-laws; a legion of nieces and nephews, and hoards of their children.
Lt. Colonel Shipes served in the United States Army for 33 years. He soared with eagles and pecked with chickens. He was a Veteran of combat in Southeast and Southwest Asia. His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (3 OLC), the Distinguished Flying Cross (4 OLC), the Bronze Star (5 OLC), the Meritorious Service Medal (5 OLC), the Air Medal (100 OLC), the Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC), as well as foreign awards for gallantry. He was a Master Army Aviator.
Doctor Shipes was a life-long academic. He graduated from the Academy of Richmond County and Augusta College, continued his education at the University of Georgia and Troy State University, and earned his terminal degree (Ph.D) from Old Dominion University. He was a distinguished graduate of both the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the U.S. Air Force Air Command and Staff College, as well as a graduate of the U.S. Army War College. Joe also served on the board of Thomas Nelson Community College in Newport News, VA for eight years.
Joe was an Eagle Scout and more-or-less, an active member of the Boy Scouts of America for over 65 years; a member of the Sons of the American Revolution; a long-time member of MENSA, and occasionally, an amateur radio operator (for AK4BE).
A Service of Thanksgiving for Joseph Franklyn Shipes will be held at Pierce Memorial Methodist Church of Augusta, GA. On Friday, Dec. 27, 2019 at 11:30 am.
Joe's final wishes were that his cremains be comingled with those of his loving wife, (when available), and eventually released in the Western Mountains.
A memorial gravestone will be placed at Westover Memorial Park in Augusta, GA (Date TBD) in Joe's honor.
