Dale Raymond Shipley
1950-2018
Raymond Dale Shipley, beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and friend died in his home on August 2, 2018. Dale was born on February 24, 1950 in Duncan, Oklahoma.
It is impossible to adequately define here the magnitude of Dale’s positive influence on so many people. Those of us who knew Dale personally (and there are many) knew a man excited about life, excited about geology, loved OSU, and loved his Lord and fellow man. Dale carried an infectious smile and always directed conversations towards the interest of others rather than on himself.
Married to Carol “Anni” for 46 years, their love of family and friends was an inspiration to all. Whether it be with his church family, his dinner club, the Metro Camera Club, or his impromptu rock band, Dale did everything with gusto. He enthusiastically taught adult Bible Study classes for many years.
Dale earned a BS in Geology from Oklahoma State University in 1973 and an MS in Geology from Oklahoma State University in 1975. Dale has worked as a prospecting geologist holding various titles for many companies in the oil and gas business in Oklahoma with Mack Energy, Louis Dreyfus Natural Gas, Dominion Energy, Linn Energy, as well as several others. Most recently, Dale proudly served as President of Farmers Royalty Group in Oklahoma City. Among many other prominent roles in the industry Dale has served on the American Association of Petroleum Geologists House of Delegates Committee and has served with many offices, including President of the Oklahoma City Geological Society. He was a loyal alumni of Oklahoma State University.
Preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy and Ray, brother, David, and son, Zachary, Dale leaves behind wife Carol Ann, sons Jared and Chad (Lisa), sister Raeanne Finley, and the pride of his life, grandchildren Kate, Nick, and Luke.
As one of Dale’s many friends remarked on Thursday, “Dale would want us to tell all those close to us how much we love them.” We honor Dale through our encouragement and our love for others.
Services will be held at Quail Springs Baptist Church on August 6, 2018 at 10AM with a viewing held Sunday from 12 to 8PM at Matthew’s Funeral Home. The family will be present between 5 and 7PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Oklahoma Blood Institute and the Baptist Children’s Home.
Carol and family,
Our heartfelt prayers are with you all. Dale was an amazing man who will be missed by all who knew him.
Melanie and Family
My heartfelt sympathies to Carol and family. Dale Shipley was one of the special good guys in our high school class of 68. His sweet nature always shone through as did his kindness. And yes. He had a great smile and sense of humor. So glad we got to reconnect at the 45th class reunion. Love and prayers to the family of this man. Schahara Winter Hudelson
Shipley family,
It’s was always good to see Dales smiling face as his way was to teach and encourage his co-workers. Thankful for the season I had with him. Sending love & prayers to you all.
God bless
Dear Shipley Family,
Even though I don’t know you personally, you are one of my fellow church family members and I have been praying for all of you during this difficult time. What a joy to know Dale is walking with Jesus now, but what a void for all of you. In God’s Love, Jane Woods
Carol and family, Dale was a special person and classmate. Remembering the summer he called wanting Carol’s home phone number and wanting to know if she would go out with him. He choose well with life mate. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Paula Waddle Huffman
‘Class ‘68. Ardmore High
Class ‘70 Murray State
Our families became close because of the cub scout program and John Ross elementary. Later we found out we lived fairly close to each other. From then on all of our children spent alot of time going back and forth to each home. The Shipley family was always an extended part of our family as we were involved in scouts, school, and lots of cookouts and swim parties. Dale was a comfort to our family when we experienced the loss of our son, and I know that his love and friendship will be missed so much by everyone.
Love and prayers to Carol and their family.
Love,
Kathy & Kristin Garrison
Our deepest sympathy to Carol and family in your loss of this terrific guy. Dale was a truly genuine person whose good nature, smiling demeanor and generous nature came through in all he did. He will be truly missed by his friends in the Metro Camera Club who have been fortunate to claim him as one of their own.
Dearest Carol and family, I didn’t have the privilege of knowing Dale for that long, but I remember the first night I met him at Camera Club. He leaned over as I was showing a picture to a fellow member, and commented about how much he liked it. At the next meeting, he made a point of saying hello, and every time thereafter, he called me by name and said he was glad to see me. His ability to strike up a conversation, then make a point of saying hello was something I will always remember…and from previous comments, that was just who he was. I don’t think Dale ever met a stranger…and if he did, he wasn’t one for long! He was a kind and gentle soul, and will be sorely missed by many. Sending heartfelt prayers to you, Carol, and to your sons.
I was shocked by Dale’s passing. What a great friend and coworker he was. Anni, I am so sorry for your loss. He was such an inspiration to me and many others. I am heartbroken. I last saw him at lunch 6 weeks ago. It is so true that he was interested in others and what they were doing and accomplishing. He was especially happy for Linda and myself when we were married. I saw many times his caring and sensitive side. He loved his boys and was active in the Boy Scouts. He was also one of the best geologists that I have been associated with. I will miss him. A part of him will always be with all of us. I am so sad for you and your boys. We will pray for all of your family at this time. Bob & Linda
John Mahaffey says:
August 5, 2018
Dale was a great friend and co-worker. He was so smart about so many things and was always handing out good compliments, even to landmen. He was fun to work with and just to talk to. I had great respect for Dale. I was shocked when I learned of his passing and know that he has passed on the good side of the Lord. My prayers are with him and his entire family.
I met Dale and Carol at Metro Camera Club several years ago. They were the first ones to speak to me at the meetings and I noticed how both of them always made it a point to come talk to me. Dale had an inviting smile and was a friend to all. He always gave me compliments on my pictures! He was a great person and when my husband passed away a year 1/2 ago, both Dale and Carol, were there for me with open arms and I knew I could count on them for anything. I always admired Dale for his enthusiasm and he was a great encourager no matter what he was talking about. He was a Godly man and I know he is in Heaven right now. Probably listening to some deep conversation with my husband and Dale can’t get a word in. ha Dale, I will miss you but I know I will see you again some day. My prayers are with the whole family. Love and hugs.
Anni and family,
Dale was one of those people you felt like you had known all your life from the first time you met. We have had lunch from Guthrie to Norman, Yukon to Eastside Okc and it was always a pleasure. Dale was one of the few people who had to either learn or impart something of knowledge in every conversation. We had many differences of opinion over the years, but at the coffee bar 10 minutes later you would never have known it. I wish peace for you guys knowing he was a good man who provided and cared for you till the end and he is in the comfort of the Lord for those who believe.
Carol and family,
I was deeply saddened by the news of Dale’s passing. Dale was a dear friend over the years and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. We worked together as well as competed with one another in the oil and gas business. We shared common interests in our love of geology, and our shared interests of serving our fellow geologists by serving as officers in the Oklahoma City Geological Society as well as volunteering to serve in the AAPG Society. Dale was great at whatever he did and was always a great example to us more experienced geologists as well as the younger new to the industry geology grads. But it wasn’t just geologists he was kind and friendly to, he was a friend to all he met and worked with over the years. Dale always had a kind and thoughtful comment for me when he had seen one of my children win an award at school, or when he was present during one of their speech contests. I will never forget a time before we really knew each other very well when he was at an FFA speech contest where several of my children did very well and received awards. He made it a point to find me and my wife afterwards to comment about how impressed he was with each of our children. Dale and I later worked together at Dominion in OKC and he was always making very nice comments about our family. That meant a lot to me. I also knew how proud he was of his children because it always brought a huge grin to his face when he would tell us how they were doing, and how proud he and Carol were of their family.
May our Father in Heaven bless your family with peace and comfort in the knowledge that Dale is with his loved ones that greeted him in Heaven and will be there to meet each of you some day in the future. May God bless you all.
Dear Rae Anne, Carol and family,
I am so sorry to hear about Dale. He was such a sweet man.
The Ardmore Geological Society will be making a donation in his name.
May God bless you.
Tracy Martin Yarbrough
Ardmore Geological Society.