Thomas Newton Shipley

Thomas Newton Shipley, age 100, died peacefully on Monday, January 15, 2018, at his home in Hilton Head Island, SC. His wife of 69 years, Ramona Irene Shipley, and his 3 sons, John, Thomas Alan, and David were present at his side. He will be dearly missed by his extended family: John’s wife, Cindy; David’s wife, Jeri; grandsons Jeremy and Christopher; Christopher’s wife, Jenny; great-grandchildren, Connor and Emma; and many nieces, nephews and their families.

Tom was born on February 7, 1917, in Baltimore, MD, to Bradley Thomas Shipley and Kathryn (Wigley) Shipley, joining sister Mary Lee (Burbage) in the Shipley family. An 8th generation member of a family whose ancestors arrived in America in 1668, Tom was relentlessly forward-looking. Admitted to the University of Alabama at age 16, he graduated in 1937 with a degree in chemical engineering. His work career of 43 years at DuPont included participation in many discoveries that improve daily life today. Tom led DuPont’s fluoropolymer research and development team centered in Parkersburg, WV, and as Planning Manager had projects in South America, the Netherlands, and Japan. Tom earned emeritus status in the American Chemical Society and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

While successful in his career, his life is more fully defined by the relationships he nurtured and developed at work, at home, and in the community. Enduring friendships, enthusiastic involvement in musical theatre, participation in Methodist Church choirs (where he met and often provided choral accompaniment to his wife Ramona’s solo performances), presidency of the Vienna, West Virginia PTA, and support and encouragement of his sons in scouting and YMCA guides marked his life as one of service and commitment to others.

In retirement Tom and Ramona traveled extensively, satisfying their natural curiosity about the world and its people, history, beauty, and promise. When settled at home, Tom was an avid and conscientious gardener, from the rock garden, azaleas and rhododendrons at home to the rose garden he nurtured at the Heritage Gardens on Hilton Head Island.

As a husband, father, uncle, colleague, and friend, Tom Shipley has been a strong presence, determined and resilient. With his typical calm stoicism and warm heart, he would ask us all to strive confidently, do good, be courteous, and display kindness. Most importantly, he would say thank you to all those he has had the great pleasure to know throughout his long and fruitful life.

Family and friends are invited to gather at the Gary L. Kaufman Funeral Home at Meadowridge Memorial Park, Inc., 7250 Washington Boulevard, Elkridge, MD 21075 (exit 6 off Rt. 100 south) on Saturday, January 27, 2018 from 1:00 pm till the start of the Celebration of Life Funeral Service at 2:00 pm. Interment Meadowridge Memorial Park, Elkridge, MD. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Hospice Care of the Lowcountry at PO Box 3827 in Bluffton, SC 29910. Please visit obits.dignitymemorial.com and search for Thomas Shipley to leave online condolences. www.garylkaufmanfuneralhome.com