Dr. Earl C Pippin Jr.

92, of Tampa, was called to the Lord peacefully in his home on December 21, 2016. Dr. Pippin was born in Tampa, FL, March 13, 1924 and raised in Tennessee. He graduated from Baylor Military School. He enlisted in the Army during WWII on Dec. 10, 942 and began active service on Sept. 27, 1943. He fought valiantly for our country and was honorably discharged on Nov. 29, 1945 with a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. After his military discharge, he attended and graduated the University of Tennessee with a B.A on June 7, 1948. He met and married the love of his life, Ella Ruth White (Ruth) on Feb. 19, 1950. He then went to and graduated medical school with his doctorate degree at the University of Tennessee on June 15. 1953. He acquired his Tennessee medical license on August 13, 1953. After his medical internship ended at the University of Tennessee on August 21, 1953, Dr. Pippin (Doc), completed his medical residency between Sept. 1, 1954 and 1956. Doc obtained his medical license from the State of Florida on Jan. 18, 1957. Doc went straight to work as a pediatrician. He was on staff at both St. Joseph’s and Tampa General Hospitals while maintaining a private pediatric practice for nearly 40 years in the Tampa area before retiring. When reminded about the many lives he impacted throughout his many years in practice, he simply responded, “No, they made my life much richer!” He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of almost 60 years, Ruth. He is survived by his children, Earl, Kelly (Richard), Jeffrey (Katherine), Lee (Loretta), Robert (Janet); his brother, Don Pippin of Brewster, NY; First cousin Jean Stillwell of Odessa, FL; 6 grandchildren, Catherine (Brian), A.J., Patrick, Michael, Jeffrey, and Tiffany; and 4 great-grandchildren, Bailey, Payton, Hunter, and Blake. Visitation will take place on January 10, from 6:30-8:30PM at Blount & Curry Funeral Home on 605 S MacDill Ave., Tampa, FL. Funeral service will be on January, 11; 10AM at Palma Ceia Methodist Church on S. Dale Mabry Hwy. with burial immediately following at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital.