Judy Kay Pipkin

Judy was born as Judy Kay Allen on 12 December 1945 to Katherine Stanley in Sweetwater, TN. She was adopted by her grandparents George Burton Stanley and Florence Vivian Shell on 13 January 1946 of Elizabethton TN.

Judy lived with her grandparents until the death of her grandfather, and thereafter was with her grandmother for her childhood. Judy graduated from high school in 1964. Shortly after High School, Judy began training as a nurse but later enlisted in the Air Force on 14 January 1965. While in the Air Force, Judy got to be a Drill Instructor for a short time, and was trained as an administration specialist. She was at one time stationed at NORAD Hq, and would never ever talk about what she did there, other than saying she answered the “Red Phone”. When asked about it, she held to her security clearance and would not talk about the mission there, but she did say when we watched the movie War Games in 1983 that “Someone was in the room when they did the movie set.”

While in the Air Force, Judy met Gary Pipkin and they were married in 1965 and moved to Travis Air Force Base in CA.. Kimberly was born in 1966, and Damon in 1970. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to Wurtsmith AFB in Michigan and then to Fairchild AFB in 1974. During that time, Judy had left the Air Force and continued her career in nursing as an LPN. Unfortunately, Gary died in 1977, and Judy endured on for several years, doing the best she could as a single mother. Judy remarried in 1979, and Michel was born in 1980, saving the best for last. Judy divorced in 1985, and was once again doing her best as a single mother, working several different jobs Real Estate Agent, and decorating coordinator for home builders. Judy joined the Washington Air Guard in 1984 and worked as a Crew Chief until she was taken off flying status due to an auto accident, but remained in the ANG until she was medically discharged in 1990, having completed a total of 7 years and 4 months of service.

Judy had always been creative and had started doing macramé in the 1970’s and had a long time side job as a seamstress. She even had a small business license for several years. Judy struggled to find a forever home and moved from Spokane to Pascoe, WA in 1992, but moved back to Spokane a few years later. Judy loved her dogs and had several, including Micky, Spike, Tiny, Beau, Bear, MacTavish, Princess, Burnie, Misha, Lilly, Hondo, and Gibbs. She even had a few cats, Buns, Monner, and Izzy. A few cockatiels and budgies made it along the way, too, and even a duck.

Judy loved to take pictures of plants, namely roses and would dabble in taking photos of her favorite roses and trees from time to time. Judy would think that the job that she enjoyed the most was being a nurse, but she always like to think of herself as Sgt Mom. While in the WA ANG, Judy was the first female Crew Chief in the WA ANG, and truly loved the air mission. When Damon joined the ANG in 1988, that marked the first Mother-Son enlistment in the WA ANG serving under the same Air Wing.

Judy eventually retired from nursing and in her semi-retirement, worked North West Fabrics and then later at Hancock Fabrics, blowing much of her paycheck on sewing machines, quilting machines, and fabric.

Judy was known to be a great and loyal friend to her several lifelong friends, many of whom have preceded her in passing, and was often on long calls with her friends from around the area. She kept up many life long friendships and could always be found in long telephone calls with her buddies, or in trading Facebook memories. Since she loved to quilt, she would start planning her quilts out early in the year and would spend months making quilts for friends and family. She would often hide secret messages sewn into the quilts that most of her kids would struggle to find, but she would swear were in there. Judy would also take special orders from time to time and would knit hats, potholders and other practical and useful items for the home that her kids and grandchildren would look forward to getting every Christmas.

Judy always had a little miss Independent Streak and was often doing things on her own, like painting her house and doing major yard projects, until she unfortunately fell off a ladder and was banned from any ladder over two steps, which she always complained about since she was so short. She loved her trucks and was probably resentful of being downgraded to the Dodge Journey, but at least she didn’t fall out of that car. She even had several motorcycles that she owned but rarely ride, because she complained that she was too small and couldn’t pick them up.

Judy spent her final years at Mission Meadows, where she was known for early morning walks, doing several miles, and was a member of her biker gang of old people on three-wheelers.

Judy is survived by her sister Katherine Anne, her children Kimber, Damon and Michael, her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was loved and appreciated.

Thank you, Mom.