Jack Pippin

Give me the roses while I live
Trying to cheer me on
Useless are flowers (praises) that you give
After the soul is gone.

Jack Pippin passed from this mortal life on June 14, 2018. He was born in Kingsport on April 16, 1930, the son of Clarence H. and Anna May Bland Pippin. He retired from Kingsport Power Company after more than 37 years of service. He was a member of First Broad Street United Methodist Church, a member and 50-year past master of Kingsport Masonic Lodge No. 688, Past Patron of Liberty Chapter #198 Order of Eastern Star, and a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars. Jack served in the U.S. Air Force in the Philippines, on Guam and Iwo Jima. Jack was a late bloomer having graduated from ETSU with a B.S. degree in Business Administration at age 46 after attending night classes for 10 years. He received his private pilot's license at age 48, and a black belt in karate at age 50.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Sharon Lee Pippin; his first wife, Betty Ragle Pippin; and his sister, Faye McCoy and husband, Jay.

He is survived by his son, Craig Pippin and wife, Yolanda of Vista, CA; daughter, Valecia Fillnow and husband, Michael of Kingsport; seven grandchildren including Jack Brock and wife, Melinda of Matthews, NC, Justin Pippin and wife, Rachel of Albuquerque, NM, Linzi Hatley and husband, David of Johnson City, TN, Danielle Lawson and husband, Ian of Phoenix, AZ, Megan Tipton and husband, Brandon of Fall Branch, Enjoli Ash and husband, Andrew of Oceanside, CA, and Jeremiah Pippin and wife, Megan of Vista, CA; 12 great-grandchildren; and sisters, Peggy Jean Lloyd and husband, Ed of Church Hill, and Virginia Corley of Kingsport.

Jack chose to be cremated and no funeral or memorial service to be held. His ashes will be interred at Mountain Home Veterans Cemetery in Johnson City, TN.

If desired, memorial contributions may be made to First Broad Street United Methodist Church, Missions, 100 E. Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37660, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000 Dept 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908, or to Shriners Hospital, 950 W. Faris Rd., Greenville, SC 29605.