Paul Shipman

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Paul Richard Shipman, 93, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at his Joplin home December 9, 2023.

Paul was born September 30, 1930, in Brookfield, MO, to Bejamin and Nellis Shipman. He graduated from Springfield High School and Southwest Missouri State. He received his Master’s degree from Pittsburg State and Doctorate from the University of Arkansas. 

As an educator and administrator, he worked at schools in Phillipsburg, Clever, and Golden City, MO, and Pittsburg, KS. In 1965, he followed his mentor, Dr. Leon Billingsly, to Joplin Junior College, now Missouri Southern State University. Paul retired as Vice President for Business Affairs at Missouri Southern in 1986. He came out of retirement to work 1 ½ years at MSU-West Plains.

Paul married his wife, Trula (nee Gelsheimer) in 1952 in Springfield. Trula, his loving wife of 71 years, survives. They were blessed with two daughters, Karen Shipman (Greg White) of University City, MO, and Kathy Jantz (Bill) of Tulsa, OK. Beloved grandchildren include Michael Jantz of Tulsa, OK Lauren Steg (Bradley) of Humboldt, TN, and step-granddaughters Melissa (TJ) Steck of Kansas City, MO, and Jessica (Thomas) Horn of Lawrence, KS, and their children: Shepherd Steg; Emma and Curran Steck (Kelly); and Drew, Austin, and John Deiter. Also left to grieve are brothers-in-law Ron and Merle (Shirley) Gelsheimier, nieces and nephews Susy, Cindy, Charles, Mark, Julie, David Laura, and Cheryl and their families, as well as special family friend Connie Godwin.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, sister and brother-in-law Arminta and Bob Bower, brother and sister-in-law David and Zoe Shipman, nephews Bruce Bower and Scott Shipman, Jan Slusher.

Paul was a real people person, and he was well-known for his dry sense of humor. The family enjoyed many vacations together, especially road trips, camping excursions, and cruising the Panama Canal. He faithfully served in the National Guard for 12 years. 

For many years, he was a member of the Carthage Rotary Club and served on the boards of the Salvation Army and the Jasper County Association of Social Services. He and Trula owned many antique cars and were members of the Heartland Antique Auto Club. They rode motorcycles with Goldwing Road Riders, even riding with a group to every county seat in MO. They were avid supporters of MSSU and liked to attend events there, such as concerts, and sporting events. They played games with their Friday Pie Day group. They danced with the Tanglefooters round dancers, and attended many alumni events at Golden City and SMS. They were members of Circus Fans of America. In recent years they enjoyed many activities and made even more friends as “Winter Texans” at Tropic Resort in Pharr, TX.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Shipman Family Scholarship at MSSU.