By Mike McCombs
The Island News
Family and friends are mourning the loss of Josh Shipley, 18, of Seabrook, who died Wednesday, March 8 while studying abroad in Costa Rica.
According to his obituary, Shipley graduated early from Bridges Preparatory School and was furthering his education at Colegio Tecnico Profesional Ricardo Castro Beer in Orotina, Costa Rica.
There has been no public information on how Shipley died. His parents, Sean and Misty (Langford) Shipley, as well as other family members traveled to Costa Rica earlier this week to bring Josh home.
“Joshua was the baby of our family and we are forever changed,” Misty Shipley said. “We appreciate the outpouring of support from our community and covet prayers as we wait to find out what happened to our son. There are no words for me to express the deep devastation we are going through. Thank you for honoring our baby.”
Josh, a wrestler at Bridges Prep, enjoyed playing his guitar and photography, and, according to his obituary, had planned to return to the United States in July to join the U.S. Air Force.
Along with his parents, Josh is survived by four siblings — Jessica, Jenna, Justin and Jonathan — as well as beloved uncles, aunts, cousins, friends, and his girlfriend, Veronica Capps.
Family and friends are invited to attend funeral services, to will be held at noon, Saturday, March 18, at Beaufort Memorial Gardens, 1 Copeland Drive. Immediately following the service, the family is extending an invitation to attend a Celebration of Life at, 67 Gillison Branch Road, Robertville, S.C. 29922.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that all donations be made to Bridges Preparatory Athletics in memory of Joshua Shipley. BPS Athletics, 555 Robert Smalls Parkway, Beaufort, S.C. 29906.
