Dan Shipley's Obituary
Dan Shipley was born December 2, 1941 in Floydada, Texas and passed away peacefully on April 26, 2026 at the age of 84 in hospice surrounded by family after a brief hospitalization.
He grew up on a farm in Floydada raised by his father John Shipley and mother Cora Lee (Sherrill) Shipley. As a young man growing up in West Texas, Dan worked the farm with his parents. In high school, Dan excelled in sports including football, basketball and track. He was named an all-state football player his senior year 1959 – 1960. Also in high school, he received Future Farmers of America awards and accolades. After receiving football scholarship offers from the University of Texas at Austin, Oklahoma, Southern Methodist University and other schools, he went to Southern Methodist University in 1960. He transferred to Texas Tech where he graduated with a BBA in 1964 and a MBA in 1965. While both were attending Texas Tech, Dan met Sheila Fletcher from Ft. Worth. They married in January 1964.
In 1965 Dan began his career in the grain export and commodity trading business. The business took Dan and Sheila and later a young family to many interesting places. He specialized in international trading with countries including Japan, Russia, Chile, Argentina and others. The family put down roots mainly in Fort Worth, TX and Memphis, TN. They also lived in Kansas City, MO; Enid, OK; St. Louis, MO; Newport Beach, CA; and Cincinnati, OH before settling back in Memphis in 1981. He worked at several companies including Continental Grain, Cook Industries, and Sparks and Associates (later Vining Sparks). He briefly had a seat on the Chicago Board of Trade.
Dan was an athlete through and through and enjoyed a life of running, bicycling, racquet ball, and sailing. His curiosity inspired all aspects of learning from problem solving to history and astronomy. He was an avid reader and researcher of interesting topics and a great source of knowledge for all of us. He kept connected with his good friends from Floydada High School through a daily morning group call for 10+ years. That’s commitment and that is who Dan was – once he set his mind to something, stand out of the way. He also adored his many golden retrievers over the years.
Dan is survived by his wife Sheila (Germantown, TN) and his daughter Kelly Shipley and son Steve Shipley (both in Dallas). A true friend, mentor and beloved husband and father – he will be missed!
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