HAMPSTEAD —- Ralph V. Shipton Sr., 95, made his earthly departure Monday, Oct. 26, 2020, and arrived safely and peacefully in the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ. After 95 years, one of the last of the nation’s greatest generation enjoyed the love of his family and the care of hospice as he filed his final flight plan.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 70 years, Bettie “Bet” Yost Shipton; parents and two sisters.
He is survived by his four children, Ralph V. Shipton Jr. (Marcia), Chuck Shipton (Vicky), Melodie Shipton-Broome (Brad) and Terry Shipton (Sheila O’Donnell); and eight grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Ralph’s journey began April 20, 1925, and his life was as diverse as it was long. At various times in his life, Ralph was an U.S. Army Air Corps B-29 crewman in the Pacific campaign during World War II, a talented guitarist and pianist, car and airplane mechanic, master carpenter and an accomplished Mason (to include obtaining the 33rd degree, and becoming a chaplain and certified lecturer). He was one of the most skilled commercial pilots of his day.
The one constant in Ralph’s life was his devotion to his Lutheran faith and his love for St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, where he assumed various roles throughout the past 60 years. Always working his faith, oftentimes behind the scenes, he personally funded several clergy pilgrimages to the Holy Land to round out their ecclesiastical education.
Ralph was truly an accomplished traveler, largely due to his 30-year career with Piedmont Airlines from 1955 to 1985. Upon his retirement as a chief pilot and base manager, he and his beloved Bet traveled first to every state in the lower 48 in their mini R.V., and then from Europe to Australia. Ralph appreciated learning from traveling, but no place held a tighter grip on his heart than the home he built for himself and his family on the North Carolina coast overlooking New Topsail Inlet. He taught his family that truly there is no place like home and to appreciate the simple joys of life that entails.
The restrictions of our ongoing pandemic preclude any social, indoor gathering to celebrate Ralph’s life at this time; however, those who would like to attend, fully masked and socially distanced, are welcome to come to the graveside service at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 31, at Sea Lawn Memorial Park, 17750 Hwy 17 North, Hampstead. A celebration of life memorial service at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church will be held, most likely, in 2021. Please send an email to [email protected] to be notified.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider donating to your local food bank to assist those in need.
Share online condolences with the family at Andrews Mortuary & Crematory.
