Donald "Clay" Shipley

1965 - 2022

Donald Clayton "Clay" Shipley, 57, of Hampstead, MD passed away Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at his home. Born May 27, 1965 in Cocoa Beach, FL, he was the son of Howard LaMotte Shipley of Finksburg, MD and Christine (née Lassiter) Marfiak of Westminster, MD, and the stepson of Rear Admiral Thomas F. Marfiak, U.S.N. Retired. Clay graduated from Westminster High School's vocational tech program as a machinist, but his real love was the outdoors. From childhood on, he fished the streams of Carroll County. He knew the woods intimately, riding his four-wheeler or snowmobile along the trails. In season, he enjoyed hunting. He was an excellent marksman. He practiced the Scout motto: "Be prepared" and kept fond memories of his days in Scouting. But he wasn't all tough guy. He had a soft streak as well. He was so proud to be a grandfather to Brinlee (age two years) and Bryson (age two months). He hoped to teach them his love of the great outdoors and the needed skills, like fishing. And in the quiet hours of the night, he would unburden himself with long, heartfelt messages to his Mom. Beneath his gruff exterior, he was a Christian gentleman. Raised as a Methodist, he loved his Lord, Jesus. He attended a Cowboys for Christ Service, where he was baptized and, later, Billy Graham's Crusade in Baltimore, where he affirmed his decision for Christ. When you met Clay, you were unlikely to forget him. Flamboyant, bigger than life, with long, curly hair wrapped in a red bandana, he cut quite a figure. He was who he was and never sought to be anything else other than himself. We all miss him and take solace that he is with his beloved Lord, casting a line, no doubt in some quiet stream far from the noise of the crowd. Surviving, in addition to his parents and stepfather, are his brother and sister-in-law, H. LaMotte Shipley, III and Marina Shipley of Westminster; sister, Patti Parks of Finksburg; daughter, Brittany Taylor Shipley of Westminster; granddaughter, Brinlee Paige Martin; grandson, Bryson Charles Martin; nephew, Matthew Feldman-Campbell of Revere, MA; and nieces, Alina Marie Shipley and Milana Margot Shipley, both of Westminster. The family will receive friends Tuesday, August 2, 2022, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and again Wednesday, August 3, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at ELINE FUNERAL HOME, 2901 Bloom Road, Finksburg. Interment will follow in Sandymount United Methodist Cemetery in Finksburg. The family suggests that those who wish may make contributions in Clay's name to the Sandymount United Methodist Cemetery Fund, 1840 Tank Road, Finksburg, MD 21048.