Robert Shipton

Robert Keith Shipton was born on October 28,1937 in Lander, Wyoming to Zoe Wilmot Parks and Robert Brand Shipton. His early years were spent on the Shipton Dairy Farm in Fort Washakie. He attended a tiny school with three rooms separating the grades. He and his Dad made full use of fishing and hunting in the near by Wind River mountains. Keith graduated from Lander High School with excellent grades. He attended Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland. While there, he gained an appreciation for southern cooking. After 2 years of college, he returned to Wyoming and worked for several years in the oil industry. In the spring of 1959 he was sent to work in Vernal, Utah. There he met his beloved Sondra Hatch. They married in December 1959 and made their first home in Choteau, Montana. Keith worked in several different jobs while he and Sondra raised a family of eight children. Keith and Sondra moved to Dutch John to run the restaurant and gas station in Dutch John beginning in 1971. He served as Justice of the Peace for Daggett County. Later he worked for Utah Power and Light and took the opportunity to become a lineman which required a four year apprenticeship. Keith took pride in his career, and felt good about providing this service to customers. He worked in Utah, Idaho, and Oregon. After retiring, he and Sondra moved back to Vernal. Keith drove for River Runners Transport for years. He enjoyed driving customer's cars and he always focused on safety for everyone on the road. He was known for great story telling and made many good friends. He served faithfully in the Vernal Temple and held many callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Sondra developed cancer and required transport to Provo for treatments. During this time Keith was by her side and lovingly supported. She passed in the summer of 2012. Keith met Kathleen Allred during the summer of 2014. They married in February 2015. Keith was voracious reader, especially history books. He was an accomplished shooter, and reloader. He kept meticulous records of his shooting data. Keith was so proud of his big beautiful family. He loved them all dearly. He had five boys in a row, and was thrilled to get twin girls, and one more daughter. He has 33 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Sondra Hatch Shipton, a grandson Cole Andrew Shipton and a great-granddaughter Mileena Dawn Shipton. Keith is survived by his wife Kathleen Allred Shipton, sons Russell (Sharon) Shipton, Vernal, Utah. J Scott Shipton, Rigby, Idaho, Jeff (Becky) Shipton, Dutch John, Utah, Eric (Jackie) Shipton, Las Vegas, Nevada, Donovan (Hollie) Shipton, Terreton, Idaho; his daughters Shannon Sevier (Doug Wyatt), Lake Stevens, Washington, Sharon (James) Serries, Marysville, Washington, and Shelly Dissinger (Greg DuVal). of Vernal. Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 12, 2025 at 12Noon at the Phillips Ashley Valley Funeral Home. A visitation for family and friends will be held Saturday 10:45AM-11:45AM at the mortuary. Interment will be in the Vernal Memorial Park.