Wayne Shippy

Wayne Shippy (1946 - 2023)

Lifelong Odessa son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, deacon, and friend, Charles Wayne Shippy, 77, passed away December 20th, 2023, at home, surrounded by his family.

Wayne was born in Warrensburg on November 10th, 1946, the first child of Varner and JaNelle Shippy, and grew up on the family farm southeast of Odessa.

He graduated from Odessa in 1964 and received a master’s degree in education from CMSU.  He taught industrial arts at Palmer Junior High in Independence for two years, Odessa High School for eight years, then left teaching to take over the family farm, continuing to farm until age 75.

Wayne grew up strong and enjoyed sports and the outdoors.  He loved competition, including hundreds of games at Dyer Park, from childhood through his late 60s.  He was a favorite baseball coach for many Odessa boys.  

He married his high school sweetheart, Sharon, in 1968.  They were happily married for 55 years, enjoying every minute, traveling to all 50 states and many countries, side by side.  They enjoyed gardening, happily giving away armloads of sweet corn and tomatoes every summer to everyone around.

Family was most important to Wayne.  He was blessed with three younger brothers, Ernie, Varner, and Virgil, and they and their families are extremely close.  Wayne’s children, Darryl and Janelle, and their sons, were his pride and joy.  He and Sharon enjoyed dozens of camping trips with their grandsons.

Second only to his family was his church family.  He was a charter member of Calvary Baptist Church, Odessa, and faithfully served as a deacon for over 40 years, and an adult Sunday School teacher most of that time.

Wayne loved the farm, was very skilled with his hands, and built a home on family acreage fifty years ago.  He was an expert carpenter and served on the local Habitat for Humanity board, helping to build several homes in the area.  Wayne was a true pillar of the Odessa community, always generous and quick to help neighbors and family.  A big brother to all, his friendly smile will be missed by everyone who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, survived by wife Sharon, son Darryl (Hollie), daughter Janelle (Jason), and grandsons Taylor, Payton (Emily), Jay (Kristin), Jase, and Jaden.

Visitation will begin at 1pm on Saturday, December 30th, 2023, at Calvary Baptist Church, 7995 Outer Road, Odessa, MO, 64076.  A celebration of life will follow at the church at 4pm.  In lieu of flowers, all memorials will be directed to Calvary’s building fund.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ralph O. Jones Funeral Home, 306 S. 2nd Street, Odessa, MO, 64076 -- (816) 633-5524.  Memories of Wayne and condolences for his family may be left at www.LedfordFamilyFH.com or our Facebook page.