Larry Ray Shipman of Durant, Okla., passed from this life on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at the age of 75. He was born on Friday, October 15, 1948 in Merced, Calif., to Thurman Wayne and Vera Sue (Fancher) Shipman.
Larry proudly served in the U.S. Navy as a Corpsman. He and his brothers co-founded Sundowner Trailers in their father’s hay barn, and they turned it into what it is today through sheer determination and a “healthy dollop of luck,” as Larry would always say.
Larry was a loving husband and proud father of two children. He was an avid fisherman and hunter, and a part-time cowboy. Larry loved to spend time with friends and family, and you could find him hosting many a crab boil, fish fry, and fireworks show.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Thurman Wayne and Vera Sue (Fancher) Shipman; father-in-law, James Gudgel and brother-in-law, Jamie Gudgel.
Survivors include his wife, Brenda Shipman of the home; daughter, Kayla Shipman and husband Alkan Sezginis of Chicago, Ill.; son, Andrew Shipman of Durant, Okla.; brothers, Gary Shipman and wife Jackie of Durant, Okla., Jerry Shipman and wife Laquita of Durant, Okla., John Shipman and wife Danika of Pottsboro, Texas; sister, Sheila Collins and husband Doug of Mead, Okla.; mother-in-law, Cleta Gudgel of Durant, Okla., as well as other extended family and friends.
A family visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at Gordon Funeral Home.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, November 10, 2023 at First Baptist Church in Durant, Okla., with Josh Shipman officiating. A graveside service will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Milburn, Oklahoma. Josh Shipman, Jeremy Shipman, Kyle Shipman, Tyler Shipman, Jason Smith, Colt Gudgel and Jeff Smith will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Darel Smith, Mike Gudgel, Missy Strickland, Sherry Moretti, Kim Mauck and Amanda Klabzuba.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Gordon Funeral Home, 221 N. Third Ave. in Durant.
Phone: (580) 916-9090
www.gordonfh.com