Jerry Blaine Shipman

Jerry was born on October 7, 1937, in his Springfield (Greene County), Missouri home, to parents Oda Blaine “Obie” Shipman and Mary Frances “Mary Frank” Ruyle Shipman. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Judith Ann (“Judy”); a younger brother, Jack (Carol) Shipman; daughter Michelle Hughes; granddaughters Reece and Remy Hughes; brother- and sister-in-law Kevin and Deanna McBurney; and, beloved nieces and nephews.

Throughout his hospice care, Jerry often recounted his fond childhood memories, living the outdoor life and the farm life throughout Springfield and Fair Grove, Missouri, with younger brother Jack.

Jerry’s favorite memories often involved grandparents Oda Otto (“Odie”) and Vesta Selph Shipman, at whose farm home he and brother Jack spent much time, and even had their own bedroom created in the hay loft. Regular farm chores for the two young children included putting up hay, feeding and milking the cattle, collecting eggs, and thrashing and transporting oats. But more fun was had at this farm, and the always-clever Jerry and Jack came up with “shortcuts” to buy themselves more play time in the creek. One chore was keeping the snakes out of the hen nests – the brothers simply hid milk-glass doorknobs in the hen nests, and the snakes swallowed the knobs!

Jerry spent many childhood seasons following his Grandfather Odie and his plow that was pulled by beloved mules “Jack and Pete,” who became Fair Grove’s treasured last-working mule team. Jerry had a hobby of catching and collecting the arrowheads that the plow would kick up, and at one point, had dozens of glass jars full of them.

The family moved to Lawrence, Kansas, and Jerry graduated Lawrence High School in 1955. Jerry took several years of classes at the University of Kansas as well.

Jerry proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1959 to 1965, in both active duty and reserve duty. He attended Airborne School at Georgia’s Fort Benning, and served as a paratrooper in the Special Forces as a Green Beret.

Jerry met the love of his life, Judy, at their shared apartment complex in Kansas City, Missouri, in the early 1960s. Jerry was transferred to Chicago for work, but did not wish to move without Judy, so she joined him and they were married there in 1965. They were married for fifty-eight years.

In 1968, he was relocated to Atlanta by Sinclair Refining Company (BP Oil Corporation) as a Construction and Maintenance Supervisor. Jerry and Judy were part of a relocated team, and like many of the other employees and spouses, they purchased a wooded lot on Dekalb County’s Bubbling Creek Road. True “Bubbling Creek Pioneers,” these couples even cleared the underbrush of the thick back lots themselves, going home to home with machetes and mowers to create useable back yards on the creek-fed lots. Jerry and Judy oversaw the building of their new home, even finishing their own basement, with Judy holding up the heavy ceiling beams herself.

Throughout his career in the construction industry, Jerry worked as a surveyor, draftsman, highway construction inspector, office engineer, project engineer, and general contractor.

Jerry’s proudest accomplishment was being “Papa” to beloved granddaughters Reece and Remy, who brought him so much joy throughout the years. Stubborn as his grandfather’s mules, Jerry willed to see Reece graduate college and begin veterinary school at UGA, and to see Remy graduate high school and begin her freshman year at UGA.

Jerry wished to remain in his home throughout his illnesses, in front of the basement window overlooking the back lot and creek, where many hummingbirds buzzed about as he passed away. The family would like to thank Inspire Hospice, especially Nurse Karen, who allowed him to pass with comfort, peace, and dignity. The family would like to thank Bubbling Creek neighbors, who have given so much support to the couple over the past two years.

A small graveside service for the family and neighbors will be held November 9, 2024, at noon, at North Atlanta Memorial Gardens Cemetery. His wife will appreciate letters mailed to their home.