Homer J. Shipley

Services for Homer Shipley will be Tuesday, March 22, 2022 in Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home and Crematory, Branson.  Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM with a memorial service to follow at 2:00 PM.  Military honors will be rendered by the United States Army and BVA 913.

Homer James Shipley was born January 17, 1952 in Ringgold, TX to Henry & LaMonte Shipley.  After graduating from high school in Ringgold in 1970, he was drafted into the United States Army.  When he returned home, Homer worked at John Deere in Texas for 7 years.  He then owned and operated a vehicle repair shop with his brother Paul and went on to open his own shop.  He also continued his service to his country as part of the Army National Guard for 22 years.

Homer moved to Drury, MO in the early 1990s and owned and operated a machine, vehicle and tractor repair shop.  He later moved to Brushy Knob and re-established his tractor repair business as well as gaining employment at Dairy Farmers of America in Cabool, MO, where he worked as a machinist.  He retired from DFA in 2017 after 26 years of service. 

While living in Brushy Knob, Homer met his wife Leah.  They were married on August 5, 2006.  After retirement, they moved back to Leah’s hometown of Omaha, Arkansas in 2019 to their new “forever” home.

Homer entered into Heaven on Thursday, March 17, 2022 from his home in Omaha at the age of 70, after battling cancer since 2007.  He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Doris Edgett.

Homer is survived by his wife, Leah Shipley; children, Amy Hail (Jerry) of Texas, Dean Shipley (Sue) of Oklahoma, James Shipley (Valerie) of Texas and Trevor Crouch (Christen) of Arkansas; and brothers, Henry Don Shipley (Diana) of Texas and Paul Shipley (LouAnn) of Texas.  He will also be missed by his nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

Homer loved working with his hands, gardening, working on his tractor and fishing.  He especially enjoyed spending time with his wife, family and friends.  He was a dedicated and honorable man.  He loved laughing and joking with family and friends but also took responsibility and commitment very seriously.  He had a kind and caring soul and loved the Lord.  Despite his struggles fighting cancer, he stayed positive and courageously saw each day as a gift from God.  He loved his family and being a Grandpa.  He told Leah many times that he was ready at any time to be with Jesus, but he wanted to fight to stay with her and share more life with her.  He leaves behind a legacy of strength, kindness, courage and an example of being blessed by God’s grace.

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