Longtime farmer and Franklin, MO resident, James Shipp, age 96, passed away surrounded by family on January 29, 2026.

James Edwin Shipp was born in Howard County, MO on October 2, 1929.  He was one of three children born to the late Lawson Drake and Leona L. (Watts) Shipp.  James attended grade school in Petersburg, MO and graduated from Glasgow High School with the class of 1948.  On December 18, 1949, James married the love of his life, Ellen Jean Warford, at the Armstrong Methodist Church.  James and Ellen Jean had five children and enjoyed over 67 years of marriage.  Ellen Jean preceded James in death on March 15, 2017.

James began his agricultural career using mules for planting and in his later years, using tractors with auto steering. He was a lifelong farmer, steward of the land and member of Boonesboro Christian Church. Growing up in the Missouri river bottoms and riding a horse to the one room school in Petersburg; he was no stranger to hard work and preferred walking over riding. James and Ellen Jean together grew a fully sustainable operation raising pigs, cattle, and row crops and large vegetable gardens shared with others.   He was active with local levee districts, political commissions, and church boards. James was instrumental in developing a healthy clean water delivery system to the residents of rural south Howard County. His farm was one of the first signed up for the re-introduction of wild turkey and remained vigilant in his quest to maintain land integrity. Awards and acknowledgements of his career are Glasgow FFA Honorary Chapter Farmer, University of Missouri Farm Management Award, Garst Seed Service Award, 1980 Excellence in Pasture Improvement from Fayette Chamber of Commerce and recognition as a Missouri State Farm Family in 1976 by Governor Christopher Bond.

The family is incredibly grateful for the loving care The Lodge, Hometown Homecare Hospice, and Dr. Kevin Frazer provided. Dad was happy with his care, and his wishes were granted with grace and love. 

Survivors include his five children, Martha (Ken) Graves of Fleming Island, FL, Sue (Bill) Gerding of New Franklin, MO, Sandra (Dennis) Nail of Rocheport, MO, Lori (Eugene) Tebbe of Rocheport, MO and Steve (Shani) Shipp of Franklin, MO; 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.  In addition to his wife and parents, James was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Kerigan Shipp and two siblings, Donald Shipp and Lois Haley.

A funeral service honoring the life of James Shipp will be 1 PM, Friday, February 6, 2026, at Boonesboro Christian Church, with Zane Volkmann officiating.  Visitation will be an hour before the service starting at Noon, at the church.  Interment will follow services at Boonesboro Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Boonesboro Christian Church or the Boonesboro Cemetery, in care of Friemonth-Freese Funeral Service of Glasgow.  Online condolences may be shared at friemonthfreesefuneralservice.com.