Richard Bailey Shore III's Obituary
Richard Bailey Shore, III, "Chips", a lifelong resident of Manatee County, passed away July 29, 2015. He was the Clerk of the Courts & Comptroller of Manatee County since 1977. Prior, he served as City Clerk and Treasurer for the City of Bradenton. Shore graduated from Stetson University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Finance. He is the former President of the Florida Association of Court Clerks and Comptrollers, former President of the Florida Family Support Council and former President and board member for HOPE Family Services. He is survived by Carol, his wife of 52 years; four daughters: Cindy Shore (Brad Coats), Donna Shore Western (Mark), Elizabeth Shore and Debra Shore Quinlan (Tim); and six grandchildren: Ford & Fletcher Western; Adah Pearl & Oliver Quinlan, and Ian & Charlotte Coats. Chips' family will remember him as "a bit leprechaun, a bit MacGyver, very much a visionary, a renaissance man, and a lover of family and life." There was always a glimmer and sparkle in his eye whether he was teasing or up to something mischievous, usually part of a well thought out surprise for someone's special occasion. His great joys in life included boating trips spent fishing aboard the "Catch 22", picnics on Egmont Key with family and friends, spending time in his beloved Cortez Village, eating lunch on the water and picking up surprise stone crab claws for any occasion. Chips and Carol were Manatee High School sweethearts. He loved to tell his daughters that from the moment he laid eyes on their mother, it was love at first sight. Chips eagerly supported all of his wife's ambitions, including her studies and artistic pursuits. He wanted her to soar in life and was so very proud of all of her accomplishments. In Carol's words, their life together was more than she could have ever dreamed. "I have never had an expectation for this marriage that was big enough." As a father, Chips taught his four daughters that they could do anything from hammering and sawing, to fishing or becoming a successful executive. He taught them to be leaders and to remain creative and resourceful in order to figure out solutions to any problem life presented. He never allowed them to view their gender as a limiting factor. Chips raised his girls to be capable and independent, and his love of do-it-yourself projects remains an inherited passion that they continue to enjoy. Chips taught his children morals, values, work ethic and integrity. Exemplifying these lessons were not a choice in his household. It was the only behavior he accepted and for this, he will remain loved, respected and admired by four devoted daughters who will always be proud that he was their dad. Chips was always there for his children, always a part of their home, and he could provide comfort whether life saw them at his side or far away. Every Christmas, Chips bought four identical things for his girls, be it four pair of pearl earrings or four drill sets, he always made sure favor was disbursed equally. Chips operated at home as he did in professional life: with fairness, integrity and a caring hand to those around him. Chips adored his grandchildren, each of whom inherited his prominent dimples and the same sparkle in their eyes. In so many ways, he will live on through the family and community he left behind. As a public servant, R.B. Chips Shore was a Manatee County institution. He served in the vital role of Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller for nearly four decades, pivotal years that saw the Bradenton area grow from a small, sleepy beach community to a burgeoning center of growth, industry and tourism. He was a pioneer in the field of online court records and was instrumental in the development of procedures in this area that have since been adopted by other counties and states. Chips was universally respected as a man who held himself and those around him to high standards of excellence. His lead-by-example ethos inspired those who worked for him to always give their best effort. As a result, the entire department approached each task with both the immense pride and heavy awareness of the office's impeccable reputation. Chips' passion for local history will live on through the many buildings and places he has worked to preserve throughout the years. He believed that there was a value in keeping a community in touch with its roots so that it could remember where it had been in deciding where it would go. The Florida Maritime Museum in Cortez, Old Cabbage Head and the Manatee Village, the Historical Library, the old court house and the Palmetto Historical Park are just some of the places through which his memory will live on. A visitation will be held at the Manatee County Courthouse Historical Courtroom on Saturday, Aug. 8 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. A memorial service will follow at 2 p.m. at the Bradenton Municipal Auditorium, 1005 1st Avenue West, in Bradenton. In honor of Chips' passion for preserving the rich history of Manatee County, the family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the Florida Maritime Museum, P.O. Box 100, Cortez, Florida, 34215, in support of their matching grant initiative. Griffith-Cline Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Condolences at www.GriffithCline.com.
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