William Thomas (Tommy) Shipes, Jr, died February 4, 2015.

Born on the Army base at Fort Ord in California, February 23,1952, to William T. and Dorothy Conner Shipes. Tommy graduated from Mount Dora High School in 1971 and is fondly remembered by classmates as "Skinny" driving around town in his Black, 1950 Plymouth Coupe. He worked at the family owned Mount Dora Marina as Operations and Service Manager obtaining many mechanical skills to repair and service multiple types of marine engines until 1976. He then went to work for Ocklawaha Nurseries, a family owned 500 acre citrus grove and packing house supervising harvesting and grove care. During that time he also started his own citrus and landscape nursery, a cattle ranch and land clearing business in Lake Jem. He later continued his education and love of boating, obtaining his U.S. Coast Guard Captain's License and captained privately owned yachts up to 78 feet, for pleasure and sport fishing. He loved fishing, hunting, boating and especially his black Labrador, Skipper, who has been adopted.

He is survived by his brothers, Joe W. Shipes, Umatilla, Richard C. Shipes , Eustis, John Wesley Shipes, Umatilla, Michael O. Shipes, Orlando, Christopher Collins, Orlando, and his sister, Kathy Shipes Lawrence of DeLand. Nieces and nephews, Kimberly Morin, AZ, Alyson Elliott, CO, Austin Shipes, Naples, Morgan Campbell, Tangerine, Lee Lawrence, PA, Sadie Shipes, Aubrie Shipes, Umatilla, Sophia Shipes and Conner Shipes, Eustis.

A Celebration of Life is planned for February 22, 2015 at 1:00, Trimble Park, Pavillion #2, please join us for food and fellowship and we hope you will share your favorite stories and adventures with Tommy...