Kenneth Sylvester Shipley's Obituary
Kenneth Sylvester Shipley, 73, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 20, 2023. Kenneth was born in Tipton, Missouri on February 11, 1950, the eldest child to James and Mildred Shipley. Kenneth’s parents were active members at Prairie Grove Missionary Baptist Church, which was right across the street from his childhood home. He was raised with a strong foundation in faith and proudly accepted Christ at the age of 10 and began attending Baptist Training Union summer conventions and held the title of BTU President. He attended Tipton High School where he was voted best dancer and excelled in sports and held records in track and football. After graduating, he received a football scholarship to attend Lincoln University and this is where he began his studies in Psychology. After a few years, Ken was looking for a change of scenery and weather, and traveled to San Diego, California to visit his cousin Otis Harper in 1972. He decided to stay in San Diego and worked a few years as a counselor at San Diego City College, and even got his real estate license. Eventually, he decided to continue his education at San Diego State University where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology.
Kenneth had a passion for teaching and working with people and opened up his own driving school, Ready to Drive Safely Academy and taught for 20 years. He was always researching and coming up with new business ideas and still had hopes of opening another business one day. Ken loved spending time with family and friends, telling jokes, meeting new people, being outdoors, and going for drives. He was full of life and made every person he encountered feel special and valued, his humor and smile could make anyone's day.
Kenneth was a devoted father, grandfather, brother, and friend and he will be missed dearly. Left to cherish his memory are his mother Mildred, two siblings Cynthia McPherson and Tim Shipley, four daughters, Kaylyn Jordan, Kenisha Shipley-Lumpkin, Kishele Shipley, Kasandra Shipley and eight grandchildren Ezerah Jordan, Xeviah Jordan, Karys Jordan, Rayne Lumpkin, Shyne Lumpkin, Kaliya Leonard, Kawhi Leonard II, and Kylo Leonard and one great grandchild Eastynn Harris as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Kenneth will forever remain in our hearts and memories.
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