Monzell Phipps' Obituary
Monzell Jay Phipps, Major, USAF(Ret) age 91, passed away peacefully at his home on November 5, 2012. Born at Taylor Store, OK, the oldest son of the late Jay and Grace Phipps of Walters, OK, graduated from Walters High School, May 1940, played football, was all-state basketball center, class B schools and ran the mile in track. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Force September 1941, and graduated from the Army Air Force Flying School, Lubbock, Texas, as a Staff Sergeant Pilot in October 1942. By December 1942 he was flying from Upper Assam, India, to Kunming, China, transporting aviation gasoline and supplies to the Flying Tigers P-40 fighter airplanes and Chiang Kai-shek’s military. Flew the first four months as Sgt/Pilot then was appointed a Flight Office completing his missions and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), Air Medal and the Presidential Unit Citation. The missions required flying over the Southern Branch of the Himalayas Mountains through the world’s worst weather. He married his green-eyed girl, Jean Todd, in February 1947. As the family increased they traveled to his many Air Force assignments including Air Rescue, Fairbanks, Alaska. He graduated with a BS degree in Business Administration from The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, August 28, 1959, and was then assigned to TUSLOG Hdqs, Ankara, Turkey, where the family lived until returning to the USA in 1961. While living in Turkey the family traveled by automobile to some of the locations where The Apostle Paul had preached, and drove thru Syria, Lebanon and Jordan, experiencing a most interesting and exciting 3 day in Jerusalem. At his retirement ceremony May 1963, he had 8,000 pilot hours and the USAF aeronautical rating of Command Pilot. Major Phipps was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for designing a program to reflect the status of the Missile Squadron in the Strategic Air Command Management Control System. The distinctive accomplishments of Major Phipps culminated a distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. After USAF retirement he sold airplanes for Memphis Aero, Memphis International Airport. After Jean and he both retired they spent almost 25 years enjoying life and traveling to S/Sgt Pilots reunions, visiting AF friends, family and the their grandchildren, the joy of their lives. He has been a member of Mullins United Methodist Church for 50 years and was president of the Men’s Club, the Lamplighter Sunday School Class and chairman of the Ecumenical Affairs Committee. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years Jean Todd Phipps and daughter Jill Anne Phipps. He is survived by daughter Pamela Bagwell and son Bradley Phipps, both of Memphis; five grandchildren, Leigh Bagwell of Smyrna, TN, Drury Bagwell and wife Bernie of Leslie, MI, Rebekah Phipps, Savannah Phipps and Connor Phipps all of Black Mountain, NC; one great grandson Graydon Drury Bagwell; and sister Oletha Phipps Walker Zanola of Newalla, OK, His two brothers Orval Louis Phipps of Silver Springs, NV, and William Eldredge Phipps, of Tucson, AZ, preceded him in death. A celebration of Major Phipps’ life is scheduled at Mullins United Methodist Church on Thursday, November 8th at 2:00 pm. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. A private service will be held to intern his Cremains between Jill Anne and Jean his beautiful lifetime traveling companion at the Memphis National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please give memorials to Mullins United Methodist Church or Best Buddies Memphis, Inc.
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