James Shipley

James P. Bud Shipley passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 28, 2010 at Retirement Ranch in Clovis, New Mexico, at age 85. He was born September 4, 1924, in a dugout in Blanco Canyon a few miles south of Floydada, Texas, the eldest child of Frank Jeanette Roff Shipley. In 1925, he and his mother and father moved to a ranch north of Clovis on the Frio draw, where he grew up being called Bud. He lived in the Clovis area all his life.

Bud married Cleta Alexander on April 14, 1944. He served in the US Army Infantry in the European Theater during and after WWII, and was honorably discharged as a Tech Sergeant on June 13, 1946. After the war, he returned to Clovis and went into the livestock and farming business. In later years, he owned and operated the Ford Tractor dealerships in Clovis and Portales, as well as continuing to farm. He was an avid basketball and pool player, spending many enjoyable hours with friends at the Baxter Curren Senior Center and the Clovis Community College Health and Fitness Center. Bud also enjoyed visiting the sick and infirm. He was a member of the 16th Pile Church of Christ for many years. But his greatest joy was his family he was so proud of and devoted to each of them.

Bud is survived by his wife of almost 66 years, Cleta, of the home his son Jim and wife Carolyn, also of Clovis three grandsons, Gary Yvonne of Los Alamos, New Mexico, Marty Tracy of Salt Lake City, Utah and Jim Dawnmarie of Gilbert, Arizona five great greatgrandchildren and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father three sisters, Ora Jean Antoine, Rosemary Blevins, and Danny Jo Shipley.

Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 1, 2010 at 16th Pile Church of Christ with Jim Gammon officiating. Burial will follow at Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers will be the grandsons, Gary, Marty, and Jim and Glenn Kirksey, Raymond Watson, and Allan McKinney. Honorary pallbearers will be Don McCasland, Billy McCasland, Garvin Chandler, Bob Norris, Bob Howard, Billy Neal Williams, Melburn Johnston, Bob Bennett and Doug Williams.

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