James Herbert Shipp, M.D., 88, a Shreveport physician, passed away on January 30, 2010.  He was born in Haughton, LA to Donald Eugene Shipp and Eunice Holeman Shipp.

     Dr. Shipp is survived by, daughter, Janice S. Bell (David) of Iowa City, IA; daughter, Elaine L. Zirger (Scott) of Oakland, CA.; son, James H. Shipp, Jr. (Tara) of N. Augusta, SC and nine grandchildren - Laconia and Elizabeth Koerner, Paul and Drake Theroux, Dallas, Cole, Canaan, and Kirsten Shipp and Annelie S. Robertson (Casey); his brother Donald E. Shipp, Jr. (Elizabeth) of Shreveport, and brother Kenneth Osborn Shipp (Ruth) of Bossier City. Preceding him in death was his wife Laconia Rose and sister Martha S. Tooke of Bossier City.

     Dr. Shipp was an avid reader, with a special interest in history. He will be remembered by family and friends as a great storyteller. He often shared personal experiences and his favorite historical events.  He enjoyed hunting and being in the great outdoors. His love of nature was passed down to his children and grandchildren.  In Jan. of 1944 he married Laconia Rose, of Shreveport. They were married for 63+ years.

     Dr. Shipp entered the army in 1942 and was given the opportunity to study pre-med. Dr. Shipp received his M.D. degree from Duke University in 1949, interned at the Univ. of Alabama, and returned to Shreveport for his residency at the Old Charity Hospital.  From 1953-1954 he served as the chief resident in Neurology, Psychiatry and Medicine at the hospital.  From 1954-1955, he was the Assistant Clinical Director in Internal Medicine.

      Dr. Shipp entered private practice in 1955.  He was board certified in Internal Medicine and Electroencephalography.  He developed the first EEG laboratories in the Ark-La-Tex. Dr. Shipp served the community during four polio epidemics. Witnessing the devastating effects of this disease he saw the need to take action. He became one of the organizers of the 1963 oral polio vaccine drive.  Over 400,000 people in the area received free vaccinations because of his and other physicians’ efforts.  He was one of the founders of the LSU Medical School in Shreveport.  After retiring from private practice he worked for a time at the VA Hospital.

     Visitation for James H. Shipp will be held at Rose-Neath Funeral Home at 2500 Southside Dr., on Tuesday from 12noon until service time.  Services will be held following the visitation at 1:30 p.m. at the funeral home.  Burial will be immediately after services at Centuries Memorial Cemetery on Mansfield Road.   The family is requesting that donations be made to the First Baptist Church of Shreveport or to the LA Baptist Children’s Home. 

Southside Chapel (318) 687-1256