Thomas Washington Lipsey

Lipsey, Thomas Washington
Kalamazoo Passed away on Friday, January 3, 2014 . Age 92. Thomas was born in Houlka, Mississippi on March 9, 1921, the son of the late Thomas Washington Lipsey and MoDessie Hill Lipsey. He served with the United States army during World War II as a fifth grade medical technician in the medical detachment 849Th Engineer Aviation Battalion In Burma. Honorably discharged in Dec. 1945. He was employed by Ingersoll and Clark Equipment in Kalamazoo, retiring in 1981. At an early age he attended Wesley Chapel CME church in Houston, Mississippi before joining Allen Chapel AME church in Kalamazoo in 1946. While at Allen Chapel AME, he served as a trustee, bus driver and was a member of the male choir. He was a co-founder of the Kalamazoo Weekly Star and was an original member of the Ecumenical Senior Center of Kalamazoo. He was an avid bowler and golfer. He was married to Earlean Wright Lipsey, who preceded him in death. He later married Jeanne Adrianson Lipsey, who preceded him in death. Thomas is survived by his children, Fay Rahn Carter Haywood of Thornton, CO, Charles Lipsey of Muskegon, Catherine Frank Brooks Cole of Kalamazoo, Sarah Erik DuMont of Bangor, Angela Reese of Kalamazoo and Christine Sebestea of Allegan; 18 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; 23 great-great grandchildren; one great-great-great grandchild; one sister, Arstillure Tubbs of Kalamazoo and two brothers, Columbus Lipsey of Kalamazoo and Chester B. Lipsey of Mississippi; many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by children, Thomas Washington Lipsey III and Connie Reese; and brothers, George Willie, Augthery, Alex and Ira Lee and sisters, Annie Enouch, Bessie Jennings, Lucille Crawford and Daisy. Friends may visit with the family from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 12, 2014 at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007. Funeral service will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, January 13, 2014 at the Allen Chapel AME Church, 804 W. North St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007, where the family will receive friends from 10:30 a.m. until time of funeral service. Rev. Gloria J. Clark, Pastor will officiate. Graveside service with military honors will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Ft. Custer National Cemetery in Augusta . Memorials may be made to Ecumenical Senior Center of Kalamazoo.