July 16, 1929 - March 4, 2006

David Jonathan Shippey, 76, of Huntsville died Saturday. David Shippey grew up during the depression as the son of a Methodist minister, the late Marvin Elmer Shippey and Ovie Trusty Shippey. Deeply influenced by his parents, he developed a strong sense of family, church and commitment to teaching.

Mr. Shippey served his country honorably during the Korean War in the U.S. Air Force. Newly married, he was stationed in Las Vegas, where he completed training to become a jet fighter pilot. After the war, he returned to Mississippi to complete his education, earning a master's degree in math education from Mississippi State University. His post graduate work included Michigan State, Wayne State and the University of Illinois in math curriculum. Mr. Shippey and his family spent many years in the Madison community where he served as a deacon at First Baptist Church of Madison.

He was a devoted husband to Claudell for 53 years and a loving father to Paula and Cheryl. He became heavily involved with the Huntsville Education Association (HEA), serving as president and elected numerous times as a delegate for the State of Alabama to the National Education Association. Those who knew Mr. Shippey will recall his passion for wood working and building. He built several homes and additions and loved repairing delicate antiques. Mr. Shippey served on the supervisory committee of the Huntsville Teacher's Credit Union for many years.

He will be most remembered by the thousands of students whose lives he touched at Huntsville High School from 1964 to 1986. Teaching math gave him great joy and the satisfaction of knowing that he provided the groundwork for so many to further their education.

Mr. Shippey is survived by his wife, Claudell Jackson Shippey; two daughters, Paula Shippey Sharp and husband, Roger, of LaGrange, Ga., and Cheryl Shippey Mann and husband, Lewis, of Atlanta; one granddaughter, Elizabeth Jane Sharp and two sisters, Cassie Shippey Evans of Covington, Tenn., and Laylor Shippey Rector of Dothan.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with the Revs. Mark Seanor, George Bark, Dr. David Hull and Steve Hampton officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wiregrass Hospice, 303 Williams Ave. S.W.; Huntsville, 35801 and to First Baptist Church Building Fund, 600 Governors Drive, Huntsville 35801.