Felipe Antonio Lapuente's Obituary
Dr. Felipe Antonio Lapuente entered eternal life on August 27, 2024.
Felipe was born on February 12, 1939, in Camin Real, Aragon, Spain, the only child of Julia Perez and Mariano Lapuente.
During his childhood he showed great athletic and academic promise. As a teenager he played forward for the Real Madrid B team. It was his academic prowess, however, that would lead him on his greatest journey.
Felipe completed his undergraduate degree at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. In 1959 he was awarded a Fulbight Scholarship and continued his education at the University of Chicago where he earned his Masters degree in International Law. He then earned his PhD in Languages and Literature at St. Louis University. Subsequently he taught at the University of Missouri, Columbia, before joining the faculty at Memphis State University in the fall of 1970. During his 37 year career as an educator in Memphis, he helped to found the International Masters of Business Administration program at the University of Memphis, he taught Spanish language and literature, was an author, and lectured internationally.
While he was dedicated to teaching and to higher education, his greatest passion was his family. He sacrificed for his children. His life was filled with laughter, kindness, compassion, and joy. His home was always filled with love and great food. Felipe taught the value of hard work and selflessness. His greatest educational achievement was to teach his children how to love one another as well as how to love others. Sanguinous and passionate.
Felipe leaves behind the love of his life and wife Monica, his three children: Dr. Michael Lapuente (Della), Maria Lapuente Garrett (Tim) and Philip Lapuente; Grandchildren: Alex Lapuente and Elena Lapuente; his half-sister Montse Lapuente; and half-brothers Victor (Manuela) and Pedro (Juana) Lapuente. He is preceded in death by his parents and step-mother (Araceli), and his son, Christopher Lapuente.
The family is grateful to all of his caregivers, especially during the last weeks of his life.
The Visitation and Rosary will be held at Memorial Park Funeral Home on Friday, August 30, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a Rosary to be said at 7:00 PM. A funeral Mass celebrating the life of Felipe will be at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 4851 Park Ave., Memphis, TN, 38117, on Saturday, August 31, 2024 at 11:00 AM.
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