Ronnie Shipps:
CLASS OF 1977
East Buchanan C-1 High SchoolClass of 1977
Gower, MO
Plattsburg High SchoolClass of 1977
Plattsburg, MO
Clinton County R-III Middle SchoolClass of 1977
Plattsburg, MO
Ellis Elementary SchoolClass of 1977
Plattsburg, MO
Ronnie's Story
Workplace
I worked for a Radio Supply Company in Kansas City from Aug 1981 tp July 1982 after doing 4 years in the Marine Corps. I reenlisted in the Marines in 1982. After returning home again in 1984 I started my own Upholstery business. I have been doing that ever since, sometimes while working other jobs also. I spent 1 year working for the Lathrop School District. Two years building ambulances. 10 years doing upholstery repair for Kay Furniture in Smithville before going full time for myself again in 2005.
Military
I enlisted in the Marine Corps before my Senior year of high school was finished, but I did not go into the Marines until graduating from high school in 1977. I went to boot camp in San Diego, CA. Graduated boot camp as Private First Class and reported to Naval Air Station Millington, TN which is close to Memphis. I spent about 9 months there going thru different training classes ranging from avionics to refrigeration, basic eletricity, hydraulics, etc. From there I went to Marine Air Station Cherry Point, NC. While there I went to more training at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, FL. Back in Cherry Point, I was there for 2 years and was then deployed with a squadron to Iwakuni, Japan for 12 months. My job specialty was air conditioning so I spent that time working on air conditioning units that kept the avionics equipment cool while techs were repairing them. That included over 300 air conditioners. While in Japan, I was sent to Olongapo City, Phillippines for 30 days. After Japan I went back to Cherry Point and finished out my first enlistment. After 1 year of civilian life I went back in the Marines for 2 more years. Those 2 years I spent in Beaufort, SC. Although my job was as a air conditioning mech, I spent most of the time as the parts orderer for my unit. Other guys would give me their paper work with the parts they needed and I would double check the numbers and make sure they were ordering what they needed. Sometimes 1 number would be off and they would be trying to order something not even close to what they wanted. I would receive the parts and keep them until they started to do the repairs. While in SC, I re...Expand for more
ally got hooked on shark fishing. Shark fishing was fun and rewarding. We did some shrimping also. Also while stationed in SC, I got involved in scouting again and became a unit commissioner for 2 boy scout troops and 2 cub scout packs. I spent two weeks helping with a cub scout camp. I organized a softball team in my unit and we competed on base. 5 members,including myself, were chosen for the base all-star team to represent the base in the east coast regional tournament. We didn't win, but we had a good time.
Civilian Life Again.
I came back home in 1984, mainly because my remaining Grandfather had past away while I was still in SC. I had decided not to re-enlist and came home to help my Grandmother with her Upholstery business. By this time she had quit doing the business and I was able to start my own business in her old place and she was always there to help if I needed it. I moved my business from Edgerton, Mo. to Gower, Mo by 1985. At this time my business was next to the Volunteer Fire Department. Many times I would stand outside and watch the trucks leave for fires. One day only one firefighter showed up and he asked me to go with him. Since that day I was a volunteer firefighter. I finished my time as a firefighter in 2001. In 1989 I got married and we bought a house in Gower. I moved my business from downtown into the house. After the Marine barracks was bombed in Iraq business went downhill and I looked for another job to do with my Upholstery. I ended up working for the Lathrop School District for One year. From Lathrop High School I went to work for Kay Furniture Company in Smithville, Mo. I started out doing warehouse work, but within days I was in the service department doing repairs on furniture. I spent 10 years there before going back full time in my own business again.
My Accomplishments.
Of course graduating high school was one.
During high school I earned the Eagle Scout Award, and was the first Eagle Scout for Gower.
My final rank in the Marine Corps was Sergeant.
While living in Gower I ran for City Council and was a councilman for two terms.
While a firefighter I became a first responder and then became an E.M.T.
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