John H. Trippeer

John H. Trippeer, 97 of Mesa, AZ, formerly of Memphis, TN, died 9/15/10 at home Surrounded by his family after a long and happy life. John was born on 8/11/1913 in Peru, IN. moved to Chagrin Falls, OH at age 6, then to Memphis, TN in 1932 John worked for Dixie Wax Paper Co. from 1933 until he retired in1976. John married Mary Louise (Eishie) Cupples with whom he celebrated 52 years of Marriage before she passed away in 1990. They were members of Lindsay Memorial Presbyterian, Union Avenue Methodist, Longstreet Methodist, Raleigh Presbyterian, and St. Paul United Methodist Church. After 78 years in Memphis, John moved last year with his daughter and husband to Mesa. Most mornings he could be found sitting in the porch swing, worrying that too much water was being used to water the grass or fill the backyard fountain, watching the birds, enjoying the sunshine, always with his favorite dog, Tucker beside him. John loved music and had a beautiful tenor voice, He sang in several barbershop quartets, church choirs, and played several musical instruments. During the holidays, his five granddaughters would gather round him at the piano to sing along with him. Along with music, he loved sports and was a diehard Memphis Tigers basketball fan. Some of the greatest memories John and Mary shared with their family was a cabin at Pickwick Lake where they spent their summers water-skiing, canoeing, boating to the waterfalls and exploring the chalk mines. John named the cabin "Tiekilew" which is "we like it" spelled backwards. John skied into his early 70's. He was a patriotic man, installing a flag pole in the yard and teaching his granddaughters the proper way to raise, lower, and fold the flag. John will be greatly missed by his daughters, Mary Jane Jordan (Clarence) of Mesa, AZ and Carol Sue Lipscomb (Woody) of Montpelier, VA. Also left to cherish his memory are his five granddaughters, Barbara Pahl (Doug) of Portland, OR, Debbie Longton (Pat) of Mesa, AZ, Rhonda Toussaint (Jim), Angie LePeter (Rich) both of Ashland, VA, and Karen Guynes (Greg) of Vale, NC; and 12 great-grandchildren, Jordan, Jackson, and Richard Pahl, Molly and Megan Longton, David and Ben Toussaint, Alex, Brian, Sarah LePeter, and Sarah Lindsay and Travis Guynes. Visitation will be Thursday, September 23, at Memphis Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens, Germantown Road, from 6-8pm. Funeral services are at 1pm on Friday, September 24, with burial to follow at Forrest Hill East. Condolences may be offered at www.memphisfuneralhome.net