By MEGGAN CLARK
Reformer Staff
VERNON — A local man driving in Texas on his way to visit his son was shot to death and his body thrown out of his own pickup early Tuesday morning [Sept. 25, 2001].
James Harvey Shippee, 61, was found at about 6 a.m. Tuesday by the side of the highway in the Texas town of Vega, near Amarillo. He died of his injuries later that morning at the Northwest Texas Hospital in Amarillo.
Oldham County Sheriff David Medlin told the Amarillo Globe-News that the incident was called in to 911 as a possible traffic accident, and investigators, initially thought Shippee might have been the victim of a hit-and-run.
Shippee, who had been found lying on a highway exit ramp, had been shot in the head three times, the Globe-News reported. His pickup was about 75 feet away in a pasture.
A 50-year resident of Vernon, Shippee was the owner of James Shippee welding and was known to family and friends as an inventor who even built his own jet-powered motorcycle.
He was a Cub Scout master in town and a member of numerous organizations. He was also father to two sons, a daughter, four stepsons, and a stepdaughter. He also left behind his wife, Carol, and seven grandchildren.
Anita Shippee, who is married to Shippee's nephew Shawn, said her uncle was traveling to Texas to meet his son. She said police told the family he picked up a hitchhiker, who shot him and threw him out of the truck.
Much of the family has gone to Texas to confront the tragedy.
"He was a welder," Anita Shippee said. "He loved making ornaments. He was a friendly, outgoing guy."
Medlin told the Globe-News investigators have no witnesses and no suspects.
Source: Brattleboro reformer (Brattleboro, Vt.). Vol. 89, no. 179 (Sept. 27, 2001), p. [1], 6, Vernon man shot to death in Texas.
VERNON — James Harvey Shippee, 61, of Fort Bridgman Road in Vernon, died Tuesday morning, Sept. 25, 2001, at Northwest Texas Hospital in Amarillo, the victim of a homicide.
Mr. Shippee was born in Brattleboro on May 28, 1940, a son of James B. and Gladys (Stacy) Shippee. He had attended Brattleboro Union High School prior to his active service in the U.S. Army.
A 50-year resident of Vernon, he was self employed as a welder, the owner of James Shippee Welding, a business he operated for over 30 years. He also worked in the field of environmental cleanup.
Mr. Shippee was also known as an innovator and inventor, and was credited for his various inventions that included pumps for hazardous waste cleanup, snowmaking equipment, machinery for thawing frozen pipes, and numerous other gadgets. He was considered a mad scientist.
An avid motorcyclist, he also manufactured his own jet-powered motorcycle and enjoyed hill climbing.
He held a keen interest in aviation, held a pilot's license and was a certified flight instructor. He piloted not only winged aircraft but also helicopters. For many years he gave scenic flight tours.
A noted jokester, he always appreciated a good joke and laugh.
Mr. Shippee served as a Cub Scout master in Vernon and was active for many years with the Vernon Parent Teachers Association. He assisted with all fundraising efforts and class trips.
He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Brattleboro Aerie #2445, was a member of the American Pilot Operators Association and held membership in the American Motorcycles Association.
With his wife he attended First United Methodist Church in Brattleboro.
A devoted husband and loving father, he cherished time spent with family, especially picnics and campouts.
On Oct. 1, 1983, at First United Methodist Church, he was married to Carol Tkaczyk Puffer who survives.
Besides his wife of 17 years he is survived by his first wife, Cheryl Macie of Vernon; two sons, James K. Shippee of Brattleboro, and Michael J. Shippee of Albuquerque, N.M.; one daughter, Jodi L. Shippee of Burlington; four stepsons, Gary Puffer of Lincoln, Mass., Keith Puffer of Middlebury, Darren Puffer of Leicester, and Eric Puffer of Brattleboro; a stepdaughter, Rebecca Kaeppel of Guilford; one brother, Lawrence W. Shippee Sr. of Vernon; a sister, Carol Shippee Evans of Surry, N.H.; seven grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted Monday [Oct. 1, 2001] at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church on Town Crier Drive with the Rev. Thomas Mousin, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in North Cemetery in Vernon.
Friends are invited to call at the Atamaniuk Funeral Home, 40 Terrace St., Sunday from 2 to 4, and 7 to 9 p.m.
Memorial contributions in Mr. Shippee's name may be made to The Cardiac Rehab Program, Southern Vermont Health Services Corp., 17 Belmont Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301, attn: Development Office.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.
Source: Brattleboro reformer (Brattleboro, Vt.). Vol. 89, no. 179 (Sept. 27, 2001), p. 22, Obituaries and funerals, James Shippee.
By JAMES PENTLAND
Reformer Staff
BRATTLEBORO — Officials investigating the slaying of a Vernon man in Texas have few clues to help them in their pursuit of the perpetrator.
"We're looking for a hitchhiker armed with a .22 automatic pistol," said Sheriff David Medlin of the Oldham County (Texas) Sheriff's Department on Thursday. "We don't expect anything to break very fast. It will take some luck."
James Shippee, 61, was shot three times in the head and left lying on an exit ramp off Interstate 40 west of Amarillo. The sheriff's department received a report of a possible hit-and-run at 6:01 a.m. Tuesday from a passing motorist, Medlin said. He noted that it was still completely dark at that hour.
Shippee's pickup truck and trailer were up against a bank in a pasture some distance away. The truck's engine was running, its headlights were on, and it was in gear, Medlin said.
He said there was nothing to indicate that robbery was a motive for the killing. An autopsy was performed in Lubbock, Texas, on Thursday, which he said confirmed that it was a homicide.
"Unfortunately, we get these off these interstates every so often," Medlin said.
Four such cases were solved recently only because the killers struck again, and were caught the second time, he said.
Alvin Schmidt of the Texas Rangers in Amarillo is the lead investigator, assisted by the sheriff's department, Medlin said.
Shippee, a self-employed welder, inventor, pilot and motorcyclist, was headed out west to visit his son in New Mexico, according to family members, when he was slain.
He leaves his wife, two sons, a daughter, four stepsons, a stepdaughter, his brother and sister, and a large extended family.
Funeral services will be held Monday [Oct. 1, 2001] at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church on Putney Road.
Source: Brattleboro reformer (Brattleboro, Vt.). Vol. 89, no. 179 [i.e. 180] (Sept. 28, 2001), p. 11, Shippee killing investigated.