Thomas James Shipler

Our perpetually happy and upbeat father passed away on March 28, 2022, surrounded by family. We will miss him deeply.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife Betty ‘nee Birtwistle on December 1, 2017. Tom is survived by his three Children, son Thomas Jr. (Jan) Casa Grande, AZ, daughters, Nancy Seifert, (John), Salem and Judy Henry, (Lou) of Portland, and his beloved grandchildren Michael Seifert, Los Angeles, Morgan Henry, St. Louis, and Alexandra Henry of Portland. All three grandkids were introduced to the joys of gardening and farming by Papa/Grandpa Tom. Many happy days were spent with Nana and Papa/Grandma and Grandpa enjoying the outdoors, and special vacations to Tibet, China and the Galapagos Islands.

Tom grew up on his parents’ (Thomas Jacob Shipler and Eulena Prescott nee’ White) land grant farm named Chatanika, located where the West Salem Chatanika housing development now stands. Tom began his strong work ethic on the farm, and after enlisting in the Navy at the tender age of 17, he attended Carroll College in Montana before being trained as a pilot. He often would pull out and demonstrate his “talking helmet” where the instructor would literally yell through a tube to instruct. He always would win the prize for most unusual “hat”.

Upon honorable discharge from the Navy, Tom met Betty and after a whirlwind courtship, married in Vancouver Washington in July 1947. Their 70-year marriage lasted until Betty’s death. Tom and Betty traveled the world together with friends and family, worked together and enjoyed a well-deserved retirement, just not long enough as Tom missed his Betty deeply.

Tom began his logging career with his brother-in-law, Johnny, and a DC 10 Caterpillar tractor, and later Tom established Shipler Logging Company. He was the first in Oregon to implement Sky Car logging, an environmentally friendly method for hauling logs out of the forest. Years later, Tom and his dear friend Don Boman who built these Skagit “Sky Cars”, enjoyed many a lunch at the flight Deck, reminiscing over the “old days”. Betty, Tom Jr. and Nancy all worked at the logging company. After selling the company, Tom and Betty went into Cranberries and built a large bog in Langlois, near Bandon Oregon. Betty, Tom Jr., Nancy and Judy all worked harvesting cranberries. Tom’s next endeavor was to build the Lacamas Lakes housing development in Camas Washington. This was followed by his final large project of building Camas Meadows Golf Club. This was a family affair, and everyone contributed to these efforts.

Deciding to finally retire at 80, he sold the golf course and he and Betty bought a home in Indio California and spent several years sharing time between Palm Springs and Salem. This gave Tom time to enjoy what he loved most, being with his family.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to his compassionate caretaking team at Willamette Vital Health, Kaiser Permanente, and his dear friends, especially Don Leavitt. Private interment by Restlawn.