Kipton "Kip" Von Cloninger

battle with pancreatitis onTuesday (December 5, 2017).

Kip was born on January 3, 1963 in Chapel Hill, NC.

to the late Gary Von Cloninger and Linda (Parnell) Cloninger.

Kip graduated from Hunter Huss High School in 1981 and from

Gardner Webb University in 1987. He later completed his

Masters of Education in 2001 at Cumberland University,

and a Masters of Administration from Union College in 2005.

Kip’s love for football began at a young age. He played in high school and college, as well as coaching in three different states for 24 years. Kip’s passion for helping others manifested in a 29 year teaching career. He spent the last 20 years teaching and coaching at Sullivan Central High School. Kip embodied the Cougar spirit by serving others in the classroom and in the community, and was lovingly referred to as “Coach” by all. He established a strength and conditioning program, building a fully equipped weight room at Sullivan Central High School.

Kip was an avid outdoorsman as well as an active member

and elder at Reedy Creek Presbyterian Church.

In addition to his father, Kip was preceded in death

by his paternal grandparents, George & Lois Cloninger.

Left to cherish his memories are his loving wife of 27 years, Margaret Thomas Cloninger; son, Colton Cloninger & wife Paola; daughter, Maci Cloninger; mother Linda Cloninger; in-laws, David & Wanda Thomas; sister-in-law, Robbin & Grant Stackhouse; nephew, Alex Stackhouse; niece, Erica Stackhouse; uncles, Mike & Cathy Cloninger, Coble & Martha Ramsey, and John & Joy Thomas; many special cousins, friends, and the Cougar Family.

A Celebration of Kip’s Life will be held on Saturday (December 9, 2017) at 2 p.m. in the gymnasium at Sullivan Central High School (131 Shipley Ferry Road Blountville, TN 37617) with Rev. Marshall Steinle and Pastor Orstell Barnett officiating. Special music will be provided by the Sullivan Central Chorus and David Bowden. Visitation will be held following the Celebration of Life service.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Rev. Marshall Steinle & wife Deanna for all of their love and support. The family would also like to thank Dr. Haley, Ted White, N.P., and all of the staff of the 2700 ICU Unit at Johnson City Medical Center for taking such good care of Kip. The family appreciates and is overwhelmed by the love of the Cougar Family.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to either the Kip Cloninger Memorial Scholarship Fund (131 Shipley Ferry Road Blountville, TN 37617) or to Reedy Creek Presbyterian Church (6044 Orebank Road Kingsport, TN 37664).

Online condolences may be made to the Cloninger family at www.eastlawnkingsport.com.

East Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park has the

honor of serving the Cloninger family.