Donald SHIPLEY

SHIPLEY, Donald
Many are mourning the loss of Donald 'Don' Glen Shipley, age 54. In late March Don suffered a severe Traumatic Brain Injury after being thrown from his ATV while plowing snow in the Town of Washington, CA. He passed away on March 22, 2011. Don and his wife Debbie own the River Rest Resort Campground in Washington.
Born in 1966 in Oakland, CA. to parents Joe and Elouise Shipley, he joined brother David and sister Marie. Growing up Don's father taught him many hobbies that he continued to enjoy with his wife and children. These hobbies included target and skeet shooting, motorcycle riding and forms of hunting.
Don graduated from Pinole Valley High School in 1974 and went on to receive his AA degree in carpentry. He got his General Contractors License and created a successful company, Oak Mountain Millworks. Don became a talented, much sought after finish contractor.
In 1987 he met and married his soul mate Debbie O'Leary/ Shipley. Don not only gained a wife but two children Michael and Jennifer whom he became a loving father to. A few years after they were married they welcomed daughter Alyssa to their family.
Growing tired of the ever-escalating population in the Bay Area, Don and Debbie found the River Rest Resort on the shores of the South Yuba River and decided this was the place to raise their family. While closing escrow, the Yuba River flooded, leaving the campground in utter chaos. Don's dream was to build a family friendly campground. Over the past fifteen years Don brought his dream to life creating a fun place to enjoy the beautiful trails on an ATV/dirt bike, gold panning, swimming and playing horse shoes. He loved spending quality time with family and good friends in the beauty of nature.
Don was an amazing, hard-working, honest man. He touched so many people's lives in a positive way that it is with great sadness we say good-bye - see you in Heaven.
Don is survived by his wife Debbie Shipley, son and daughter-in-law Michael and Cori Shipley, daughters Jennifer Newell and Alissa Shipley, parents Joe and Elouise Shipley, sister and brother-in-law Marie and Tom Lane and grandchildren Trenidy, Zander, Antonio, and Tripp.
A 'Celebration of Life' Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2011 from 2:00 until 7:00 PM, including a potluck dinner, at River Rest Resort, 15274 Washington Rd, Washington, CA.
Donations in honor of Don can be made to River Rest Resort fund, PO Box 40, Washington, CA. 95986.