David Van "Skip" Shippy

David Van “Skip” Shippy, 70, of Grants Pass, passed away peacefully on February 27, 2025 at home surrounded by family and friends.

 David was born March 23, 1954 to Marion David Shippy and Ina Fay (Eells) Shippy in Grants Pass. Ina passed away when David was 18 months old and was raised by his father and his step-mom, Lois LaVerne (Milburn) Shippy. David attended school at Jerome Prairie Elementary, and Lincoln Savage Junior High School. He married the former Connie Kay Anderson on November 10,1978 in Marsing, Idaho and the couple had their daughter, Eva Kay in 1998. After Connie passed away, David married the former Sherry Ann Mathews August 17, 2002 in Grants Pass, and he gained his “bonus daughter” Sherry’s daughter, Chelsa Shiree Knowles.

 David was employed at Amalgamated Sugar in Nampa, Idaho from 1977-1999; and Clint Eells Excavating 1999-2004 in Grants Pass; In 2004 David and Sherry bought the Rogue Valley Pumping and later sold the business in 2010; and in 2011 he worked at Rogue Valley Door until his retirement in 2015.

 David has been a member of Followers of Christ church from birth until his death. He has been a faithful follower his entire life. 

 David was also a member of the Rogue Gem and Geology Club in Grants Pass.

 He volunteered for kitchen duties at the Rogue Gem and Geology Club, and he was always willing to help anyone in need of help.

 His many hobbies included operating his tractor, woodworking, farming, cattle, birds, sheep, goats, and beachcombing.

 In addition to his loving and devoted wife, Sherry, David is survived by his daughter Eva Kay Shippy and her fiancé Tanner Pirrello of Glendale, Oregon; and granddaughter Catarina Ann Pirrello.

 David’s family includes his sister Linda Shippy of Caldwell ID, Mavis Shippy (passed), LaVerne Rossiter (passed) and her husband Henry Rossiter of Grants Pass, Coleen Cunningham and her husband Dallas (passed), Judy Thornton of Melba ID and her husband Marvin (passed), Mabel Shippy (passed), Maria Barker of Caldwell ID, Loretta Shippy (passed), Edward Shippy (passed), Danny and Sandy Shippy of Caldwell ID, Jimmy Shippy (passed), Paul (passed) and his wife Elizabeth of Parma ID, Patrick Shippy of Adrian OR and his wife Nova (passed), and Mickey Shippy. Sadly, Chelsa Shiree Knowles passed away June of 2019.