David Shipley

David Craig Shipley died at the age 65 in Omaha, Nebraska, on January 15, 2026. He fought a three-and-a-half-year battle with colon cancer.

David was born on May 31, 1960, in Bellevue, Nebraska, at the Offutt Air Force Base Hospital, to Marcia (Lund) Shipley and Ned Shipley.

David attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education. He taught English at Benson High School in Omaha, Nebraska, for seventeen years. In addition to teaching, David helped with announcing at sporting events and helped with the development of the new auditorium, as well as assisted in building theater sets at the high school. He also worked part time doing stage production for bands that came to town.

An avid music fan, David loved playing the guitar and enjoyed all types of music, from rock 'n' roll to country to jazz, and everything in between. He had a vast collection of acoustic and electric guitars, along with various music equipment.

Throughout his chemotherapy treatments, David never once complained or allowed cancer todampen his spirit. He faced his illness with remarkable strength, courage, and grace.

David is survived by his wife, Leah (Amman); his two daughters, Kristen (Buza) and Caroline; and his granddaughter, Charlotte (Buza). He is also survived by his parents, Ned and Marcia Shipley of Omaha, Nebraska, and his sister, Kym (Scott) Sabins of Eagle, Colorado, along with his aunt, uncle, and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Bryce (Buza); uncle David (Lund); uncle Robert "Bob" (Lund); aunt Bethine "Betty" (Briscoe); mother-in-law, Lois (Amman); aunt Joyce (Hanson); uncle Glenn (Shipley); and his grandparents, Harlow and Marjorie (Lund), and Leonard "Floyd" and Goldie (Shipley).

A service will be held at the gravesite in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, a GoFundMe page has been created to help the family with David's medical expenses: https://gofund.me/68612c257