Raymond Clyde Kipp

April 5, 1926 - August 18, 2015

Ray Kipp was born to Clyde and Olive Kipp in Grand Junction. At that time, his parents owned the Clifton Garage.Ray grew up with two sisters, Virginia and Colleen, and brother, Roddy. He attended Grand Junction High School and later his parents owned Kipp's Motel, which is now Village Inn on North Avenue. Ray joined the Navy and served aboard a battleship in the Phillipines during World War II, as a gunner's mate in charge of the ship's machine guns and grenade launchers. Upon honorable discharge, he returned home and attended Mesa College where he studied carpentry. It was there he met and later married Rosalee Lewis. Together they raised son, Gary and daughter, Sandy. Ray became a master carpenter, working on many homes, the VAMC and Koinonia Church. He also helped build the very first home in Vail. As his career progressed, he taught carpentry classes at Mesa State College and the Job Corps in Collbran, building many bridges, dams and structures on the Grand Mesa. Ray loved the students there, many of whom looked up to him and sought his wise counsel and guidance. In this way, he was able to instill values and change lives. Besides his wife Rosalee and children, Ray's truest love was fishing. Able to catch the first fish before others could bait and cast, he would almost always earn all three titles of first, biggest and most. Heaven now houses both a champion fisherman and a true gentleman; a hardworking, kind and generous man who was a loving husband and father.Ray is survived by daughter, Sandy Kipp; sisters, Virginia (Bert ) Lionberger, Colleen Fahrney and brother, Roddy Kipp. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rosalee and son, Gary. Services are 10 a.m., Tuesday, September 1 at First Baptist Church, at 7th and Grand. Memorial contributions to Royce-Hurst Human Society or Hope West Hospice.