Neal Lipe's Obituary
Grover Neal Lipe Jr, 56, Federal Express MD-11 Captain died at his home in Germantown, TN on April 2, 2011. Neal was born on November 25, 1954, at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C. to Major Grover N. Lipe USAF and Ann Pittman Lipe. He is survived by his devoted wife of 34 years, Ann West Lipe, his beloved twins Ensign Douglas Lipe, USN, of Corpus Christi, TX and Lauren Lipe of Dallas, TX, daughter in law Captain Rebecca Lipe USAF JAG, sister Cindy Becerra of San Antonio, his brother, Federal Express MD-11 First Officer Jim Lipe and wife Lisa Lipe of Rossville, TN, his parents Grover and Ann Lipe of San Antonio, Texas, his father and mother in law Jack and Mary West of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, and many nieces and nephews. Neal graduated in 1972 from MacArthur High School in San Antonio, TX and later graduated in 1976 from the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT. After a tour at sea on the USCG Cutter Evergreen, he completed military flight training and earned his Naval Aviator Wings of Gold in 1978. Neal went on to fly the HC-130 Hercules and the HU-25 Falcon. After his active duty years in the US Coast Guard, Neal began his career with Federal Express in 1989, while continuing to serve in the Coast Guard Reserves – retiring at the rank of Captain in 1999. Neal loved spending time with his family and friends, following college football especially the CGA Bears where he played wide receiver, supporting the Boy Scouts of America as a former Scoutmaster of Troop 331 in Collierville, TN, and volunteering time at his church home, Faith Lutheran. Viewing hours are Wednesday April 6 at 5-7 PM at the Memorial Gardens Chapel in Memphis, TN. The funeral service will be Thursday April 6 at 9 AM at Faith Lutheran Church in Collierville, TN followed by the internment at West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery at 11:00 AM. Any memorials may be sent to the Boy Scouts of America or the United States Coast Guard Academy Class of 1976 Endowment Fund. He will forever be missed. Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119, (901)-767-8930, ” Behind the Stone Wall.”
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