Veteran, Teacher, Volunteer: Perry Thomas Shipman Sr.

Perry Thomas Shipman Sr., a longtime Santana High School teacher, WWII Marine veteran and a key figure that worked to incorporate Santee as a city more than 30 years ago, passed away August 1.

The October 10, 2012 Santee City Council meeting will be adjourned in his memory.

The following obituary was drawn from the adjournment in memory at the October 10 meeting:

Perry was born in Indian Gap Texas, July 24, 1921, to Paul D. and Elizabeth Yeager Shipman. He died at 91, August 1, 2012, at home from natural causes, surrounded by his family.

Perry joined the Marines, 2nd Division in 1941. He participated in the Iwo Jima and Tinian Campaigns, as a staff sergeant. He was proud to have helped build Camps Pendleton and Mathews. He was honorably discharged in 1946.

After discharge he worked as a mechanic at North Island and met his wife, Sabra Jane Kilham in 1946. They bought their 1911 Santee home with 2.5 acres in 1949, just in time for the arrival of their son and daughter.

Using the G.I. Bill, within three years he finished his BA through Grossmont College and SDSU, with an industrial arts major, math minor, plus a secondary teaching credential.

Perry taught industrial arts, math and geography at El Cajon Vally, El Capitan and Santana High Schools. In the 1970s he returned to SDSU and earned his Master's degree in Economics. He retired from Santana in 1986, at which time he was teaching economics, civics and geography.

Perry volunteered thousands of hours to the community, including work on Santee's bid for incorporation. He was a key supporter of Santee Santas when it was established by the School District in 1953. He served on Santee District Boards, working on local environmental and political issues. Perry also supported Kiwanis, Santee Methodist Church, Preserve Wild Santee, Friends of the Santee Library and the Santee Library Project.