Jerry Shipman
October 29, 1940 - October 20, 2022
Obituary
Jerry Shipman, age 81, passed away on Thursday, October 20, 2022. He was born October 29, 1940, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, the son of Rose Maxine (Hannah) and Samuel Kelly Shipman.
Jerry graduated from Oskaloosa High School in 1958 and Drake University in 1962. Jerry was an astonishing high school athlete in football, basketball, and track. He was awarded first team All-State football, won first place in pole vault at Drake Relays High School Division, and first place Iowa High School as a senior. At Drake University, Jerry played football, basketball, and track for his first two years and ended his last two years with track only. He held the pole vault record there until the mid-80’s.
From Drake, Jerry started his professional career with Hallmark Cards in Kansas City, KS, where he then transferred to Cleveland, Ohio as a sales assistant. While in Cleveland, he joined the US Coast Guard Reserves. After a 6-month stint on active reserves, he went back to Kansas City and re-joined Hallmark Cards. Jerry was a big Kansas City Chiefs fan. After the Chiefs won the championship to play in the first Super Bowl in January of 1967, (against the Green Bay Packers!), Jerry and 2 of his roommates chartered a TWA commercial plane, where they sold out the whole flight in 3 days. He and 84 people headed to the game in Los Angeles, CA. But not without a first stop in Las Vegas!
In 1968, Jerry was promoted to Branch Manager and moved to Omaha, NE, where he met the love of his life Sarah (Sally) Weller. They were married on November 23, 1968. Jerry and Sally moved to Chicago, IL, for a year and then headed to Madison, WI where Jerry and his business partner purchased Madison Business Services and a few years later they purchased a small coffee and vending company and re-branded to Madison Coffee and Vending, which after his partner retired, Jerry continued to run a very successful Madison Coffee and Vending, until he retired and sold his company in 2013. Jerry is survived by his wife Sally and his two Daughters, Janet Kathleen Shipman, and Elizabeth Ann Shipman. He was preceded in death by his parents; stepdad, James Cameron; and two half-brothers.
Sally, Janet, and Beth are hosting a casual memorial from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Friday, October 28, 2022, at Ryan Funeral Home, 2418 North Sherman Ave, Madison, Wisconsin. To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.
Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services 2418 N Sherman Ave 608-249-8257