Michael "Mike" Shipp

Michael Edwin Shipp, 74, of Cleveland TN, passed away Thursday May 22nd, 2025, at Bradley Medical Center, after two years of constant battling with congestive heart failure, urinary track infections, and kidney issues. He's resting peacefully with our Lord. No more pain.

Michael Edwin Shipp was born on September 20, 1950 to Gladys Faye Burke. Mike was raised in Millen, Georgia and later on lived in LaGrange, Georgia. He graduated high school and went on to attend college at Georgia Southwestern University in Americus Georgia. Mike eventually settled in Orlando, Florida where he worked for the family business "Burke n Shipp" alongside his mentor and Uncle "TL" (stands for Tell Larson). He had an opportunity to work at Disney World and took a position as Donald Duck. He was an avid water skier and was one of the few characters that would water ski behind the ferry taking the visitors to the park. Mike would later on drive the floats during the daily parades. Once Mike retired from Disney, his greatest love was for his grandson, Chris. He helped raise him and they were very close.

In 2005, Mike decided to move to Cleveland, Tennessee for a change of pace. He loved it. He said "this is where I belong". Mike's passion was anything sports, Georgia Bulldogs, Los Angeles Dodgers were his favorite sports teams. He loved trivia and often proclaimed to know a lot of "useless facts about random stuff". Once he moved to Tennessee, he had the opportunity to call/announce sports games with Bradley High School (football, basketball, and baseball) and Cleveland State (basketball and baseball) . This was his passion and he absolutely loved this, he didn't see it as a job, but an opportunity to pursue his passion and meet new people. Mike was a people person, never meeting a stranger. He was often seen riding around Cleveland in his motorized wheel chair. A lot of the town people knew Mike; he was truly one of a kind and an amazing person.

Mike attended Tasso Methodist Church, where he met Bob Tyree, who would eventually become his friend and later caregiver. Mike was loved by anyone who had the pleasure of meeting him.

He is survived by his daughter Darby "Tadpole" Shipp Christensen (Scott), daughter Melissa Shipp Hewitt (Benji), grandson Christopher Ty Baggett, cousins Brenda Glass (Fred), Kim DaBreo (Roddy), Miriam Watts (Eric), Eddie Alvarez (Katlynn) Alex Alvarez (Kacey).

He is preceded in death by his mother, Gladys Faye Shipp, father Louis Shipp, his beloved uncle Tell Larson Burke, aunt Velma Sargent Burke, and cousin Latrelle Burke Thomas.

A Celebration of life will be held at Tasso United Methodist Church Saturday June 21st, 2025, at 11:00 am with Rev. Mike Cutshaw presiding. The service with be followed by a commemorative luncheon in the fellowship hall.

You are invited to share a personal memory of Mike or your condolences with his family at his online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral Home of Cleveland and the Cody family are honored to assist the family with these arrangements.