Veterans advocate Shipley dies at 83

Thursday, Jan. 22, 2004 | 11:23 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- A memorial service will be held Monday in Reno for Claude U. Shipley, who spent much of his life helping military veterans with their claims for medical, employment and other benefits.

Shipley died Jan. 11 in Carson City at the age of 83.

He served as state Civil Defense director starting in 1959 during the administration of Gov. Grant Sawyer and in 1973 was named veterans employment representative in the state Department of Employment Security.

He was born Nov. 22, 1920, in Herrington, Kan., and graduated from high school there. He served in the Army during World War II. After his discharge he was a service officer handling veterans claims in Des Moines, Iowa, and eventually became the state service officer.

He moved to Reno in 1948, where he was state service officer for veterans until his appointment as Civil Defense director. He was involved in a number of organizations of military veterans.

Survivors include his wife, Jeanne Marie, sons Claude of Tallahassee, Fla., John of Carson City and Todd of Reno; sister Lois Harrison of Topeka, Kan; brother Oliver of Denver, five grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

The service Monday will be at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Reno, and a reception will follow at the VFW Hall.

Walton's Chapel of the Valley is in charge of arrangements.