Roy S. Shipman

Roy S. Shipman, 63, of Black River, NY, passed away peacefully on April 16, 2025, at his home, surrounded by his beloved family and under the compassionate care of Hospice of Jefferson County.

Roy was born on April 19, 1961, in Ogden, Utah, the son of James and Gail Peterson Shipman. He was a graduate of Wasatch High School in Utah and went on to proudly serve his country in the United States Army, enlisting on March 10, 1987. During his military career, Roy completed two tours in Iraq and Germany, served as a drill sergeant in Oklahoma, and concluded his distinguished service as a First Sergeant at Fort Drum, NY, retiring honorably on September 30, 2009. Throughout his career, he received numerous medals and commendations in recognition of his dedication and leadership.

Following his military retirement, Roy transitioned into civilian life, working for General Dynamics until his retirement in 2022. Never one to stop learning, he pursued higher education, earning an associate degree from Jefferson Community College in 2010 and a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Economics from SUNY Empire State College in 2012.

Roy was married previously, and from that union, which ended in divorce in 1987, he had two daughters. On November 19, 1988, he married the love of his life, Teresa Ann Brown, in South Edwards, NY. Together, they built a life filled with love and shared passions, including raising their son and spending time with family.

An avid car and racing enthusiast, Roy was a high-performance driver who raced at renowned tracks including Watkins Glen, Lime Rock, and Pocono with the National Auto Sport Association (NASA). He was a proud member of the Northern New York Corvette Club and a lifetime member of the National Corvette Museum. Roy could often be found working in the yard, handling home repairs, or lovingly maintaining and polishing his prized 2019 “Rolling Orange” Corvette. He found joy in the simple pleasures of home and was happiest with a wrench in hand or the sun on his back.

Surviving Roy are his beloved wife, Teresa Shipman of Black River, NY; his children: Teressa Gail Shipman and Betty Jane Shipman, all of Utah; Nolan Steele and Cassandra Shipman of Evans Mills, NY; and stepdaughter Shayla Renee and Daniel Mount of Watertown, NY. He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren: Hailey LaComb, Kalen Glissmyer, Spencer Mount, Liam Mount, Lucille Shipman, and Damon Shipman; his mother, Gail Baker of Ogden, Utah; his siblings Glenn, Scott, and Leslie; and several nieces and nephews.

Arrangements are with the Bruce Funeral Home in Black River. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 31st from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Rotary Pavilion at Thompson Park. The family invites you to join them for food and beverages and please come as you are.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Roy’s memory may be made to Hospice of Jefferson County or the Department of Veterans Affairs. Online condolences may be shared at www.brucefh.com.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.