Joe Ira Lipsey, Sr.

Joe Ira Lipsey, Sr. 65, of Springfield, died at 9:05 a.m. on Wednesday, October 29, 2014 at Memorial Medical Center. Joe was born November 25, 1948 in Houston, MS, the son of Ira Lee and Etoy Bean Lipsey. He married Betty Jean Lyons on July 23, 1966 in Houston, MS. Joe graduated in 1966 from Fannie Carter High School in Okolona, MS, where he also played on the basketball team. He earned his bachelor's degree from Rust College and his master's degree in Criminal Justice from Sangamon State University. He proudly served in the United States Air Force; attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant, and retired from the Air National Guard as an Air Force Fighter Jet Technical Engineer Maintenance Specialist. He was a semi-pro baseball player while living in Houston, MS and a baseball player in Springfield. After playing baseball, he was employed as an Activity Director for the Department of Corrections. He was later employed with the Auxiliary Police in Springfield and then with the State of Illinois Disability Hearing Judge until his retirement. Joe started as a member of the CB Club in 1974 and later became a H.A.M Radio member, an American Legion Event Coordinator, and a Blues Club Executive Board member. He was a founder of and musician in a jazz band in Springfield and also sang and played lead guitar and bass guitar for the band Spiritual Echos for many years. Joe was very active in the community, volunteering for the Springfield Housing Authority (SHA) Recreation Center. He was a professional boxing coach from 1988 to 1994 and coached, trained, judged, and refereed for the SHA Boxing Team. Joe also coached the SHA Girls' Softball Team, the Little Pony Softball League for the Streetside Boosters, the Queen Bees, and the Palmer School Basketball team. Joe was also a former Boy Scout Leader. Joe enjoyed playing basketball, baseball and darts, bowling, fishing, hunting, camping and a good barbecue. He was a lover of animals, a good friend to many, an activist who certainly enjoyed a good debate, and watching and listening to science and political shows. Joe also enjoyed travelling, car restoration and drag racing. Joe was a handyman with fixing electronics and he enjoyed talking on the CB radio both local and globally. He also enjoyed reading, listening to music and cartoons. He is preceded in death by his parents; a son, Anthony Lenard Lipsey; and a sister Debra "Dubby" Francis. He is survived by his wife, Betty Jean Lipsey of Springfield, children, Joe Ira (Angela) Lipsey, Jr. of Lansing, MI, Bernard Lee Lipsey of Springfield, Christopher Lipsey of Las Vegas, NV, and Nicole A. Lipsey of Tampa, FL; special niece/daughter, Terry Lynn Hightower of Fairview Heights; grandchildren, Joshua Lipsey, Mica Taylor-Lipsey, Joe Lipsey III, Tyonna Lacy, Tyberious Lipsey, Porcha Akia Lipsey, Darlene Lacy, Tyrone Lacy, Jr., Pheadora Lacy, Kia ShaVante Ross, Deja LaCherise Sigears, and Robert Rolfe, Jr.; great-grandchildren, Javianna Davis-Lipsey, Angelina Sigears-Garcia, and Anthony Oshea Davis; siblings, Darlene (Bobby) Johnson and Dellcine (Johnny) Brown; sisters-in-law, Jessie Mae (Silas) Graham of Houston, MS, Martha Ray Hightower of Chicago, and Bobbie Jean (Conwell) Dukes of Pontotoc, MS; brother-in-law, Andrew Lee Lyons of Memphis, TN; a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws, and friends; and his pets, BJ Lipsey, Thomas Ira Lipsey, and Modessa Jean Lipsey. Visitation: Family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 7, 2014 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Funeral Ceremony: 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at Grace United Methodist Church, 1612 E. Capitol Ave., Springfield, with Rev. Robert K. Freeman, officiating. Private family burial will be held at a later date at Camp Butler National Cemetery with military honors.