John K. Shipley

John Kenneth Shipley, 86, of Damascus, MD died peacefully, with his family by his side, Sunday, April 28, 2019 at Frederick Memorial Hospital. He was the son of the late John and Cora Shipley, born on January 16, 1934.

Kenneth was a fire fighter with the Bethesda Fire Department for 20 years. In addition to his service in Bethesda, Kenneth served his community as a life member of the Damascus Volunteer Fire Department for over 60 years. During this time he rose to the rank of Deputy Chief of the Department. For his years of fire service, Kenneth received a Governor’s citation in 2015. He also spent over 20 years working for the Montgomery County Board of Education as a school bus driver and route manager. Kenneth’s entire working career was dedicated to public service. He loved the water and had a vacation home in Ocean City, MD. He enjoyed time on his boat with his family, crabbing and fishing in the waters around Ocean City.

Kenneth is survived by his 3 sons and daughters in law; Ronnie and his wife Melissa Shipley, Greg and his wife, Carol deLaski, and Mark and his wife, Kim Shipley; his grandchildren and their significant others, Suzanne Shipley and her fiancé, Steve Kelbaugh, Karen Shipley Leggett and her husband, Justin, Kevin Shipley, Samantha Shipley and her husband Bryan Waters, Matthew Shipley and Christopher Shipley; and his 7 great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Kenneth was preceded in death by his wife, Doris (Porter) Shipley and daughter-in-law, Lori Geldner Shipley.

The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8, at Molesworth-Williams Funeral Home 26401 Ridge Road, Damascus, Maryland 20872.  A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m., Thursday, May 9, at the funeral home.  Inurnment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that a memorial contribution be made to the Damascus Volunteer Fire Department in Kenneth’s memory. Contributions can be sent to: Damascus Volunteer Fire Department, 26334 Ridge Rd, Damascus, MD 20872; Attn: Tiffany Newman, Treasurer.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.molesworthwilliams.com

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