Gary Shipps

Gary B. Shipps, 64, Tecumseh, died Monday, June 21, 2004, at Colmery-O Neil VA Medical Center after a three-year battle with lung cancer. He was born June 16, 1940, near Ottawa, to John and Ruth Davis Shipps. He graduated from Highland Park High School in 1958. Gary worked at Scott Chevrolet in Topeka prior to entering the Army in 1963. He obtained his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and was stationed at Fort Sill, Okla., and in Germany. After his discharge in 1967, he worked in the construction field. He worked for A-1 Auto Salvage and Martin Tractor Co. until 1979. He opened Meriden Auto and Truck Repair in Meriden in 1979, where he continued to work at his business until his failing health forced him to close the doors in 2002. Gary was active with Boy Scout Troop No. 18 of Tecumseh. He was a true old car and tractor buff. He restored a 1919 Moline tractor and traveled to tractor shows around the Midwest. Gary s knowledge of how old cars and tra ctors operated led many to believe he could fix anything. Gary married Joan Dehn on Dec. 31, 1963. They divorced. He was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Shipps, in 2002. Survivors include two sons, Gary Bruce Shipps Jr., Tecumseh, and Brad Shipps and his wife, Jenny, Lawrence; six grandchildren, Tricia, Cody, Skyler, Jenna, Josh and Kalee; his father, John L. Shipps and his wife, Irene, Iola; and a sister, Sharon Keegan and her husband, Bill, Topeka. Mr. Shipps was cremated. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel. Inurnment services will be at 10 a.m. Friday in Valley Brook Cemetery in Overbrook. Memorial contributions may be given to Colmery-O Neil VA Medical Center, Voluntary Services, 2200 S.W. Gage Blvd., Topeka, 66622.