John Davis Lipsey, Jr.

It is with great sadness to announce the passing of our amazing, father, John D. Lipsey, Jr, who found his new residence in heaven, joining our mother, brother, and his grandson, on April 15, 2017. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family and dear friends, John and Sandra Collister. Dad was born November 27, 1923, to John and Zelma Lipsey, in Coffeyville, Kansas. He was their first- born then followed by his sister, Joy Lee Lipsey. He began his schooling in Kansas until the 5th grade, and then he moved to Vallejo with his mother and stepfather. He attended Federal Terrace Elementary, Vallejo Jr. High, and graduated from Vallejo High Class of 1942. Upon graduation he attended UC Davis with the intent to become a veterinarian. WWII began and before he was drafted, he enlisted in the Army Air Force. Because of his grades, he quickly advanced and graduated from the Army Air Force advanced flying school of Moore Field, Class 44-F on June 27th, 1944, Moore Field, Texas. He became a Lt. and was stationed at Bruning Army Airfield, Nebraska, where he received training in the P-47 Thunderbolt fighter plane. He promptly rose to the level of Captain and was stationed in New Guinea, where he continued to serve our country over the Pacific airways. After WWII, he married the love of his life, Doris, and had 5 children. He was called back to serve at the beginning of the Korean War and flew reconnaissance over Cuba. At the end of the Korean War he became the executive pilot for many private industries. He was the pilot for Hubert Humphrey, who was then a senator, the pilot for the original Today Show, as well as, the pilot for the camera crew for the National Geographic Magazine. He relocated our family to Huntington, West Virginia and became the executive pilot for Island Creek Coal Company. Our family moved back to California in 1962, in Vallejo, his hometown where he continued on as a pilot and business owner. He bought an existing tire and muffler business promptly changing the name to Lipsey’s. The name still stands. He was a member of the Napa airport and had his plane hanger there until his last solo flying at the age of 85. His beloved grandson, Tommy Lipsey, flew him on his last flight this past year and Tommy has continued his legacy. He was a member of the 311th TFTS and both he and Mom attended almost every 58th Fighter Squadron reunion for over 30 years. When mom passed away his children accompanied him. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Joy Lee Fleming, his wife, Doris Elizabeth, son, Tom Lipsey, and grandson, Kevin England, sister Joy Lee and his pare He is survived by his daughter’s Ginger (Gary) Young, Joanna (Jim) Monaghan, Suzanna (Kevin) England, son, John, III (Brandy) Lipsey, cousin, Joanne Pierce, nieces, Mary (Mike) Jeffcoat, and Margaret (Bob) Connick, grandchildren Wendy Momsen, Jennifer (Mark ) Kelly, Tommy (Shawna) Lipsey, Adam Young, Matt (Michelle) Monaghan, Megan (Nate) Tandberg, Jessica (Shawn) McCrary, Morgan (Rob) Buchanan, Christina (Ross) Hayes, John Lipsey, IV, Brandon England. 15 great grandchildren , one great -great grandson, and his beloved caregivers, Tupo and Tolini Fonua. A very special thank you to the Veterans Administration, the VA CREC Tahoe Unit, VITAS Hospice, Your Home Nursing Care, his wonderful nurse, Sara and nursing assistant. Delia, hospice Chaplain, David, and hospice medical social worker, Chrissy. Services to be held Tuesday, April 25, at 11:00am, at the Community Presbyterian Church, 2800 Georgia Street, Vallejo, followed by a reception at the Veterans Hall, 1150 First Street, Benicia. Burial will follow at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery at a later date. He will be placed with our mother and brother. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to Project Ride, 8840 Southside Ave, Elk Grove, CA 95624., an organization dear to dad’s heart. Project Ride offers therapeutic horseback riding instruction to children with a disability, Donation to be made in honor of his great-granddaughter, Lillian Monaghan or a donation to the Community Presbyterian Church our dad’s beloved church.