James Henry "Hank" Shipman Jr.

James Henry 'Hank' Shipman, Jr. passed away on March 2, 2025, at his home in Orcutt, California. He was born on July 7, 1956, to the late James Henry Shipman and Peggy Davis Shipman in Dyersburg, Tennessee.
Hank was committed to his work and enjoyed a successful agribusiness career in Tennessee and California. Hank attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and was a member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. He graduated from the University of Memphis with a business degree and started his career at Davis Sausage Company, his family-owned business. He went on to hold various positions at Knott's Berry Farm Foods and Sunrise Growers. In semi-retirement, he continued to share his expertise by leading the maintenance division at SearchLight Properties in Central California, a business he co-owned with his wife, Michelle. Hank was a dog lover, hunter, and fisher. He enjoyed these hobbies with friends and family in Tennessee, Colorado, and his home state of California.
Hank is survived by his wife, Michelle Shipman of Orcutt, CA; three children, Meghan Jagnow and husband, Matthew, of Knoxville, TN, Nelson Shipman of Knoxville, TN, and Brandon Shipman of Orcutt, CA; and two siblings, Ann Hearron and husband, Sandy (d. 2017), of Jackson, MS, and Thomas Hunt Shipman and wife, Alison, of Falls Church, VA. The family would also like to include Pat Rogers, Hank's oldest and best friend, and his wife, Judy, of Newbern, TN.
A graveside service will be held at Fairview Cemetery on April 12, 2025, at 11a.m. in officiated by Reverend Robert Craig with a gathering of family and friends to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Matthew 25:40 organization at matthew2540inc.org or Reelfoot Rural Ministries https://www.reelfoot.org/programs/.
We are privileged and honored to serve the Shipman family. You may share your condolences and your memories with the family at www.curryfuneral.com.