Leonard Ray Shipman, Sr.

Leonard Ray Shipman Sr., 80 years old, passed away peacefully at home on December 11, 2024, surrounded by his family. He was born January 8, 1944, in Liberty, TX, the youngest child of Ross Clifton Shipman & Sadie Lee Spraker Shipman. He graduated from Dayton High School in 1962. At just 19 years old, he married the love of his life, Lena Jeanette Gates, on November 16, 1963. The following year, they welcomed their first child, a son, Leonard Ray (Buggs) Shipman Jr. 19 months later, their daughter Joy Deneen Shipman was born. He went to work for Gulf States Utility Company in 1966, retiring in 2007. He became Papa in 1987, with the birth of Lindsey Renee Shipman. Morgan Brooke Shipman was born 3 years later.

 He was a hard worker, reliable, and dependable. When he wasn't working in his younger years, he was hunting in Llano at the deer lease. After retiring, he devoted his time to his 4 great grandkids, picking them up from school, & visiting them during lunch, so often that one year he received a Perfect Attendance Award. His kids, grandkids, & especially great grandkids were the joy of his life. They all thought he hung the moon & for them he would have. His love for his family was most important to him. He loved unconditionally his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

 He is preceded in death by his parents, Ross & Sadie Shipman, his brothers John Shipman & Jim Shipman, and his sisters Nelda Ellisor and Shirley Justice. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jeanette Shipman, son Buggs Shipman (& wife Karen), daughter Joy (Neen) McAdams (& husband Coy), granddaughters, Lindsey Votaw (& husband Danny), Morgan Shipman, and Abby McAdams, great grandson Hunter Votaw, great granddaughters Savana and Audrey Votaw & Landrey Goff, and sister Nita Caldwell.

 Whether you knew him as Leonard, Daddy, Papa, or Big Leonard, he will be greatly missed.

 The family would like to thank Harbor Hospice, Sandra, Michelle, and Shannon for the wonderful care provided to him.

 A private memorial & burial is planned for a later date.

 "If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I would walk right up to Heaven and bring you home again."