James Everett Shipley 1934-2022

The steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Psalms 37:23

What a glorious morning was November 7, 2022 at 5:30 am when our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great, and great-great grandfather Jim Everett Shipley took his first breath of the pure air of heaven. We can only imagine the joy he experienced as he beheld his Lord and Savior.  Then greeted his mama and papa along with brothers Earl and Warren who joined Jesus before his birth and then all the others he loved so well here on earth. We celebrate with you, papa Jim, the reward of a life lived for Jesus! If you don’t know his Jesus, seek Him!

James E. Shipley was born on December 5, 1934 in Yakima Washington to Lillian Delpha (Gans) Shipley and Claude Leonard Shipley. Although his mother was only with him for two short years, Jim became the cherished little brother of siblings: Rolly, Clarence, Walter, Verna, Erma, Ervin, and especially Marie who sacrificed much to care for little Jimmy. His childhood years were spent on the family farm, and then when Jim was 16, his dad sold the farm and they moved to Idaho.

Jim earned his GED and entered the U.S. Army in 1954 as part of the 504th Airborne Infantry stationed in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was a cook, paratrooper, and a flame thrower. During this time, he was shown a photo of three beautiful women by a lady who would become a grandmother to him. Asked if he would like to meet the one on the left or the one on the right, he immediately chose the one in the middle. He was told “you can’t have her, she’s the baby”. Not deterred at all, it wasn’t long until a phone call marriage proposal to Donna Mae Vetter led to 67 years of happiness after hitchhiking across the country to marry her on October 6, 1955.

In 1957, He left the army and the East Coast, and they returned to Idaho where he began work on Brownlee Dam. Daughter Diane was born during that time. After work on the dam was completed, they moved back to Boise; Jim took classes and graduated with a degree from Boise Junior College in 1960. He started his career in mechanics at a local repair shop. Son, Daniel joined the family at this time. Next, he worked for Colliers Automotive (which became NAPA). It was here that he learned machine work. Jim worked hard while pursuing a dream of owning his own business. Collecting equipment and tools, he opened Jim’s Auto Machine in 1974 in a shop at Peasley’s Transfer and Storage. In 1985, he bought property and built his own shop on Bethel Street. Son Daniel, who worked for him all through school now became a full business partner. They enjoyed a precious and wonderful working relationship. The shop was not only a place for motors to be fixed but for hearts to be healed. Many customers came to know Jesus there. Jim retired in 2002. Always a bargain hunter he enjoyed pursuing flea markets, also going to the desert in Yuma, and traveling with his brothers.

Jim loved the Lord with all his heart and his greatest joy was introducing others to his Jesus. A man of prayer and studying the Word, he served his church communities as a C.A. leader, Sunday School teacher, and Board Member. He also held services for Veterans, the jail, and the local mission where both Dan and Diane remember his closing song as “Jesus Saves”. Precious to him was his home bible study where he shared Jesus with his neighborhood. He took every opportunity to pray for people, even praying for those in the swimming pool with him.

Those who remain to carry out the love of Jesus that Jim imparted to them are his wife, Donna; daughter, Diane Reed; Son, Daniel (Anita) Shipley; and brother, Ervin Shipley. Grandchildren: Ryan (Jessica) Reed, Rebecca (Matt) Wood, Cassie (William) Green, Beau (Harmony) Shipley, Elizabeth (David) Tufts. Great-grandchildren: Kimberly, Makenzie, Jordan, Caleb, Daniel, Emilee, Logan, Mason, Jake, Levi, Mollee, Preslee, Braden, Everett. Great-Great-Granddaughter: Remi. Also, many nieces and nephews. Thank you for the amazing example you were to all of us.

The family wishes to express their thankfulness for the loving, tender, care of the hospice nurses and staff.

In Jim’s own words, after receiving his terminal diagnosis, “Bye Bye, Baby!”

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 12, 2022 at Engage Boise, 270 E Pennsylvania St, Boise, ID 83706.