Donald M. Shimp, 59, of Largo passed away on Saturday, October 24, 2015.
Born in Bellflower, CA, he moved here in 2004 from Hesperia, CA where he owned a truss manufacturing business for 12 years. He was a Navy veteran of Vietnam and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. He was member of 14th Avenue Church of Christ in St. Petersburg, FL and a member of Phi Beta Kappa at St. Pete College.
Survivors include his wife, DeVonna; two daughters, DeAnne Vanhaerents of St. Petersburg and Deborah Reason of Largo; a brother, Robert; two sisters, Kathy Dion and Kris Shimp; step-sister, Lynn Packman; and four grandchildren: Austen and Jared Reason and Courtney and Brayden Vanhaerents.
A celebration for Don will be at 10:00 AM on Friday, October 30, 2015 at 14th Avenue Church of Christ, 3737 14th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, 33713. Military honors will be presented at 1:00 PM at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Avenue, Bushnell, FL 33513.
I am very sorry for your families loss. Donald was a great man. I will never forget everything that DeVonna and Donald did for me, from taking me to church and always welcoming me into their home. They were like my second family growing up. He was always such a good Dad to my best friend Debbie. He was very loving, funny, and a Godly man. The love for God and his family was outstanding and showed every day. I remember him being gone on his deep sea fishing trips, and when he came back, DeVonna cooked the BEST halibut I have ever had (to this day), that he had caught. Going to church on Sundays was something I always looked forward to with them, and I think it is very kind that they took me with them. Everything Donald and DeVonna did for me truly means a lot to me and always will. I am very saddened by your families loss. I am praying for all of you. Let God wrap his loving arms around each one of you and comfort you. I know Donald is definitely an angel looking over all of you now. Prayers and lots of love to all of Donald’s family.
Vonnie, I am so sorry for your loss. I never met Don but I have heard a lot about him through Aunt Lillie and others. I wish we could have lived closer so we could visited and been closer as a family. Just know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
So sorry for your loss, Don was such a good man and he will truly be missed. We will be praying for you all.
Jenni & Matt Brown
Vonnie, I am so sorry for your loss. I am thankful for your strong relationship with God to help you through this difficult time. I am praying for the Lord to give you strength to face the future without Don. You will be in our prayers. Sending much love.