Edward Stanley Shipper

Edward Stanley Shipper Sr., 86, Little Rock, died January 13, 2014 at Little Rock Hospice Home Care. A service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 18 at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.). His ashes will be interred at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock. Mr. Shipper was preceded in death by his parents, Hilda Shipper Israel and Morris Fuchs Shipper of Florence, Alabama. He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Norma Rowell Shipper, his five children, Edward Jr., Stephanie, Maury, Paula and Suzanne, and two step-sons, Tracy Rowell and Steve Rowell. He has ten grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and three step-grandchildren. His brother and sister-in-law, Stanley and Jane, live in Florence. Born in Decatur, Alabama, Mr. Shipper grew up in nearby Florence, a town he loved and returned to after college, raising five children there, and being active in the community. Some of his fondest memories were working in his family's cotton brokerage business as a cotton broker. In 1966, he founded the Shoals Picture newspaper with his former wife and served as publisher. He later moved to Nashville, where he worked as a real estate broker and then migrated to Little Rock in 1990, after marrying his wife, Norma. He met Norma on a blind date arranged by his youngest daughter who had met Norma at a convention in Las Vegas. A former private investigator, Norma quickly won his heart and became the love and inspiration of his life. Admired for his sense of humor, Mr. Shipper had a keen ability to laugh at himself, and found humor even in the most mundane tasks in life. He never met a stranger he didn't like, and often joked that he "talked a lot but had nothing to say." He also loved to wear funny hats. Outside of Norma, some of his greatest joys included reading the Sunday New York Times and working its crossword puzzle, visiting the Purple Cow in Little Rock, patronizing the local farmers' markets and hanging out at the local used book store. A self-professed bibliophile, he took great pleasure in his personal collection of history books. He also enjoyed discussing world affairs and had a particular fascination with China. His children recall their dad to be forward thinking politically for his generation. He was actively involved in the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. A closet Republican throughout his life, he enthusiastically supported Barack Obama. At age 16, Mr. Shipper graduated from Coffee High School and attended Dartmouth College, lettering in football and graduating Phi Beta Kappa. After his sophomore year in college, he voluntarily left to join the Navy to serve in WWII. He served as a Petty Officer Third Class, and spent time stationed in Guam. The family would like to thank the staff for the love and care he received at Hospice Home Care. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Salvation Army, salvationarmy.org or St. James United Methodist Church, Little Rock. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501) 224-2200. Mr. Shipper's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.