The City Commission presented the proclamation Monday, Nov. 28.
Plant City Commissioners presented the family of the late Ralph E. Shope with a proclamation on Monday, Nov. 28.
Shope, 82, died Wednesday, Nov. 16. He served in the United States Air Force as a master sergeant. The Tennessee native was a longtime resident of Plant City, where he was actively involved in the community.
Shope served on the City of Plant City Employees’ Pension Board for over 18 years, often as chair of the board. He served as a vice president of installment loans with the First Florida Bank in Plant City. He was a team member at Pasco Motors, Bell Chevrolet and Hopewell Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens in Plant City.
Mayor Rick Lott and fellow city commissioners presented the proclamation to Shope’s wife of 59 years, Lynn Shope. Many friends and family members were present for the ceremony.
He is survived by his wife, Lynn Shope; daughters, Sherry Baldwin (Tom) and Tammy Harrington (Steve); grandchildren, Melissa "Missy" Connell (Mike), and Alexandria, Madison, and Olivia Harrington; four great-grandchildren, McKenzie Griffin, and Shawn, Maddox, and Murphy Connell; siblings, Doyle Shope (Mary) and Nina Lee; and many loving nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Melinda Shope; and his grandson, Patrick Harrington.
