Luther Ralph Shipman, 92, of Pensacola, joined his loved ones in heaven, in the early morning hours of November 9, 2010. Ralph was born on September 12, 1918 in Ozark, AL, to James Thomas Shipman and Lola Mae Loftin Shipman.

He is survived by his daughter, Dianne Vaughn of Sugar Land, TX; his son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Gloria Shipman of Grant, AL; his brother Rev. Don Shipman of Dallas, TX; his sisters Margaret Rowley of Pensacola, FL, and Kay Centurione of Atlanta, GA; six grandchildren, Lee and Byron Vaughn, Ryan and Justin Shipman, Josh and Kipp Love, and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his dear and devoted wife of 70 years, Irene Lay Shipman; his beloved sisters, Dorothy Agerton, Grace Rowley, Nita Engstrom, and Betty Cascone; his brother, Gene Shipman; and son-in-law, Rev. Harold L. (Joe) Vaughn, Jr.

Ralph's life exemplified the true meaning of Christianity: care, compassion, and selflessness. In addition to his own children, Ralph and Irene opened their hearts and home, to raise Ralph's three younger siblings. As the eldest, he felt the duty to care for his family and guided them to adulthood as their father.

Ralph was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War ll, serving in the South Pacific Theater, and retired from NAS Pensacola with 32 years of service.

 He was recently honored with the World War II Honor Flight to Washington, DC, in recognition for his service to our country.

Also being an accomplished carpenter, he felt one of his greatest achievements was his work in the construction of the new church and pastor's home of The Pensacola Baptist Temple; which was his and the Shipman family's home church.

 Ralph and Irene were lifelong members of Pensacola Baptist Temple and recently members of Myrtle Grove Baptist Church.

 Ralph sang in the church choir and devoted his time and talent to the church throughout his life.

 He was an avid fisherman, spending as much time as possible on the water and outdoors.

Ralph was the Patriarch of the Shipman Family. He was our father, our brother, and our friend. We looked to him, and up to him, as our mentor, our teacher, and our source for guidance. He always had the best interest of his fellow man at heart. He was strong and courageous; stern when he needed to be, and loved with his whole heart.

 He taught everyone to do what is right, to live by God's holy Word, and to lead by Christian example. He never let anyone down and was always there to pick up the pieces, if need be. It seemed there was nothing he could not solve or fix; he was our rock and our foundation. He was dependable, loyal, and trustworthy. Ralph was an amazing man who exemplified strength, courage, resilience, and tenacity until the last day of his life. He left this world a much better place than he found it, and left an indelible mark on everyone he met. Although he is gone in the physical sense, he will live forever in our hearts, and one day we will be reunited with him for eternity.

Visitation for friends and family will be held on Sunday evening from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, at the Pensacola Memorial Gardens Chapel, on Pine Forest Road.

Services will be held at 2:00pm, on Monday, November 15th, at The Pensacola Baptist Temple, 5000 Cerny Road, in Pensacola, FL, with interment following at Pensacola Memorial Gardens.

Rev. Don Shipman and Rev. Danny Andrews will be officiating, with a special eulogy in Ralph's honor, by his beloved brother-in-law, Ivan Rowley.