Alfred Ray Lipps

Alfred Ray Lipps, 79, of Riceville, died after a short illness on Thursday, February 9, 2023 at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga.

A native and lifelong resident of McMinn County, he was born on February 14, 1943 and was the son of the late Tolbert Alfred Lipps and Elsie Louise Cooper Lipps. He was of the Baptist faith, and was educated at Riceville Elementary School, Calhoun High School and Cleveland State Community College.

In 1961, he married Shirley Ann Howard of Riceville. Together they started a family and traveled the country as he served in the Submarine Service of the United States Navy.

While in the service, he perfected his mechanical knowledge and enjoyed working on “all things mechanical” for the rest of his life. He had a zest for tinkering and machinery and didn’t hesitate to lend a hand to his friends, family and neighbors.

After his honorable Naval service, he worked in the power generating industry helping build Watts Bar Nuclear Plant as a certified Millwright and later Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station in Arizona as an Engineer specializing in nuclear fuel handling equipment.

In recent years he followed his love of the outdoors and traveled serving as a campground host at some of the most beautiful campgrounds in the country. Each place he visited and hosted would benefit as he worked for improvements in the infrastructure, conservation of natural resources and education of the visiting public.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 46 years, Shirley Ann Howard Lipps of Riceville.

Survivors include one sister, Ann Parks of Athens, TN; one daughter and son-in-law, Melanie and Chris Chittester of Goodyear, AZ; two sons and daughters-in-law, Scott and Marie Lipps of Young, AZ, and Jeff and Mary Lipps of Woodbine, GA; eight grandchildren, Jessica Lipps of Mesa, AZ, McKenzie Lipps and Savannah Lipps, both of Litchfield Park, AZ, Brandy Lipps of Duluth, GA, Hilary Pilzer of Albany OR, Hannah Johnson of Woodbine, GA and Rainee and Sage Chittester, both of Goodyear, AZ; two step-grandchildren, Patrick Sanford of Wickenburg, AZ and Elizabeth Jelenik of Mulvane, KS; and eleven great-grandchildren.

No public service will be held in accordance with his wishes and his ashes will be spread at sea with full military honors, a fitting tribute to a Navy veteran who proudly served his country.

You are invited to share a personal memory of Alfred or your condolences with his family at his online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral Home of Athens and the Cody family are honored to assist the family with these arrangements.