Thomas Coleman Lipsey Sr.

Thomas Coleman Lipsey, Sr., a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, died July 17 after battling Alzheimer’s Disease. He passed peacefully and was surrounded by family at his home in Vestavia Hills. He was 79.

Coleman was born in Atlanta, GA and raised in Anniston, AL. He attended Indian Springs School and later Wake Forest University and Birmingham-Southern College. In his early career, he worked at the Homewood Police Department and later enlisted in the AL Army National Guard, where he became an officer and transferred to the US Army Reserve. He served for more than 22 years and retired as a Major, Infantry, USAR.

He worked for more than 40 years in the financial services industry and spent many of those years at First Protective with expertise in Business and Estate Planning. He served both on the board and as chair of the Birmingham Association of Life Underwriters, the Birmingham Association of Health Underwriters, and the American Society of CLU and ChFC. He was Chairman of the Life Underwriter Training Council for many years and taught most of the courses. Many of his colleagues referred to Coleman as “The Professor” because they relied on him for assistance with tough cases.

Coleman loved the outdoors, and depending on the season, was either hunting or fishing – or preparing to do both. In the summer he was on a tractor preparing fields with corn or grain to fatten up the deer, and in the winter, he was in a tree stand, taking advantage of his hard work.

A member of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, Coleman sang in the Sanctuary Choir for many years. He loved singing gospel songs and sharing his faith through music. If asked, he would say to put God first, your family second, others third and then focus on yourself – and this is something that he lived. If faced with a decision or a hard situation, he would say “let’s pray about it” and then he would pray. He loved reading his Bible each morning over a pot of coffee and pondering over the passages. Coleman was deliberate by nature and loved a plan, and yet he also realized that he had to put that plan before the Lord, trust, and wait.

Coleman thought often about his family as his legacy and purpose. He found great joy in sharing his life with his wife, Georgia, and for many years they were able to travel and see the world. They enjoyed laughing and holding hands, and he often joked that “she married me for my cooking”. He wanted his children to have wisdom to face the future, and if he came across a quote or a book, he would share what he learned. Many phrases were often repeated around the home: “Begin with the end in mind”, “Don’t let your current situation be your next problem”, “The first 10% goes to the Lord, you save the next 10% and you live on the rest” and “There’s a time and place for everything” (usually followed by: “Now’s not the time or place, son”).

Coleman is survived by his wife of 37 years, Georgia Holloway Lipsey of Vestavia; 4 children, son Coleman (Sonya) Lipsey, Jr of Hoover, son David (Fran) Lipsey of Hoover, daughter Amy (Seth) Kiehl of Nashville, son John (Kristie) Lipsey of Mobile; 8 grandchildren, Jeremy, Tyler, Jaden, Gabe, Andrew, Maisie, Thomas, and Charlie; brother-in-law Edward Lupo; nephews Alex Lupo (Kelly) and Todd Lupo (Anne); and many friends who felt like family.

Coleman is preceded in death by his parents, William and Mildred Coleman Lipsey; sister, Judith L. Lupo; and his 4-legged buddy, Oliver, who was a great companion.

Friends are cordially invited to the visitation and reception on Thursday, the 21st of July from five o’clock in the afternoon until seven o’clock in the evening at Ridout’s Valley Chapel located at 1800 Oxmoor Road, Homewood, Alabama 35209.

The memorial service will commence at eleven o’clock in the morning on Friday, the 22nd of July, at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church followed by a graveside service beginning at half past one o’clock in the afternoon at the Coleman Cemetery in Riverside, Alabama.

Memorial donations honoring the life of Coleman Lipsey may be directed to Dawson Music Ministry or to a cause or charity important to you. Coleman loved donating to various organizations, and this would be a beautiful way to honor his legacy. Services are under the direction of Ridout’s Valley Chapel (205-879-3401) in Homewood.