Gary M Shipman Sr.

Gary Mack Shipman, 93, of Matthews, died April 27, 2018. Mack was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 65 years, Cora Parkins Shipman, and by his parents, Deloris Mauldin Shipman and General McClellan Shipman. He is survived by a sister, Dorothy Richardson of Nashville, TN, four children, Linda Ellis of Matthews, NC, Dianne Weiler (Rick) of Palm City, FL, Gary Shipman (Leigh) of Charlotte, NC, and Pippa Sturkey of Fort Mill, SC, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Mack graduated from Parker High School and Furman University, both in Greenville, SC. During World War II he volunteered for Army service in December 1942, and he was called up in April 1943. He was assigned to the 36th Division, 142nd Infantry Regiment. They embarked for North Africa, then on to Italy, France, Germany, and Belgium.

After the war, Mack completed his university degree, married his dear Cora, and started a career in the textile industry as a lab technician with J.P. Stevens & Company, advancing through supervisory positions to Manager of Steven’s Synthetics Division Technical Department.

He joined Monsanto Textiles Company in 1962 as Director, Applications Research and Technical Service, and later became Technical Director of the Decatur Alabama Technical Center. In 1967, Mack was appointed Director of Commercial Development for Textiles, and in 1971 through 1975 also served as Executive Vice President and Director of Ryoko Chemstrand, a joint venture company with Mitsubishi Rayon Company in Japan. After 1975 he served as Director of Yarn and Fabric Development for the Apparel Business Group.

Mack was a 32° Mason and a Shriner. He enjoyed woodworking, photography, and golf. He had a lifelong love of vocal music, having been a member of the Mackey Boy Choir in childhood, and a wedding music soloist in his college years.

The family will greet friends on Friday, May 4, 2018 from 6:00 to 7:00 pm at McEwen Chapel, 5616 Monroe Road in Charlotte. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday May 5 in the Sharon Mausoleum at Sharon Memorial Park, 5716 Monroe Road.

As an alternative to flowers, the family invites donations to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Greenville, SC.