Honoring Donny: A Life of Love and Joy

Honoring Donny – A Life of Love, Laughter, and Simplicity

I've been asked to help create this fundraiser on behalf of our family following the sudden and tragic loss of my uncle, Donny. As many of you may already know, Donny lived a simple, humble life—always giving his love freely and never asking for much in return. Unfortunately, he had little in the way of material resources, and his unexpected passing has left our family to navigate not only the grief of this loss but also the financial burden that comes with final arrangements.

This GoFundMe has been set up to assist with funeral and memorial costs($3,000), and to support the immediate needs of his son and family during this incredibly difficult time.

DONNY WAYNE SHIPP OBITUARY

Below, you’ll find a message written by Donny’s son—a beautiful reflection of who Donny was and the love he shared with everyone lucky enough to know him.

"For those who may not know, I lost my dad last week on Wednesday, the 25th. He passed on his 71st birthday. He was tragically shot and killed. He was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time. He was deeply loved by me, my wife, and my kids, and anyone who really knew him. I wish that my dad would have been able to pass into the next life in a natural way, rather an a meaningless act of violence, but I suppose this is the turns life takes sometimes. I don’t understand. But what I do know is that my dad was a joy to be around, every single time you visited him. Never failing to bring laughter and putting a smile on your face. He was loved by so many people. He genuinely loved people and had more friends than I will ever know. And I have to say, my relationship with my dad wasn’t established until just about 12 years ago because my wife encouraged me to make that connection and to get to know him. And when I did, I was able build a mountain of memories and everything I presumed about my dad was so far from who he was. I am blessed to say, the memories of my dad will forever bring me joy.

I would like to thank my wife specifically for being by my side from the very start of this. She was actually the one who had to deliver the news to me that my dad didn’t make it. Which was just as hard on her as it was me. She loved my dad as her own, and even in her grief, she has been an absolute rock for me through this. Handling so many details and helping through all the arrangements. Being in communication with everyone, and so incredibly thoughtful of all my family.

I would also like to thank so many people. My friends, family, and so many people that I work with as well as my wife’s colleagues who have reached out and shown so much love in various ways. I am so grateful for that. Thank you to everyone from the bottom of my heart."