John Robert Phipps Jr., longtime resident of the Glenaire Retirement Community, Cary, North Carolina died (date). He was born in Rowan County, North Carolina, April 16, 1919 and was the son of The Rev. John Robert and Mary Helen Barber Phipps.
He grew up in Pollocksville, Jones County, NC and graduated from Davidson College in 1940 with a degree in Economics and Business Administration. He served as Battalion Communications Officer with the 424th Regiment of the 106th Infantry Division in Europe in World War II. This unit saw action in the Battle of the Bulge during the winter of 1944-45. He was honorably discharged in February 1946.
He married Mary Elizabeth Moore Phipps on June 26, 1948 and enjoyed a wonderful marriage until her death in February 2009.They lived in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina until December 1966 then were residents of Raleigh until 1993. Bob and Mary Lib were among the first residents of Glenaire Retirement Community in Cary, moving there in June 1993.
After his discharge from the Army, Bob was employed by Hudson-Belk Company where he worked for 38 years, retiring in 1984 as Vice President/General Merchandise Manager. A lifelong Presbyterian, he was ordained as an Elder on November 10, 1946.
He served many terms as an Elder, in multiple capacities within his church community and also served on various committee of the Presbytery and Synod of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Service to others and to his community was important to him throughout his life and accordingly, he served in various capacities on civic and community organization boards and freely shared his time and gifts in many other volunteer roles. Following his retirement, he was particularly active as a volunteer with Dorothea Dix Hospital.
He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents and a brother, William Walton Phipps.Surviving to celebrate his life are:Daughter, Mary Barber Phipps Such of Richmond, VA. Daughter, Elizabeth Beatty Phipps of Asheville, NC, Son and son-in-law: John Robert Phipps, III and William Raymond Bond of Decatur, GA; Grandchildren: Mary Elizabeth Silverman Sprenkle (Taylor Sprenkle) of Richmond, VA; William Walton Silverman (Ashley Andrew Silverman) of Raleigh, NC; Nicholas Gregory Such of Richmond, VA; Alice Elizabeth Langrall and James Corbett Langrall of Asheville, NC. Great-grandchildren: Catherine Annabelle Sprenkle and Caroline Elizabeth Sprenkle of Richmond, VA; Walton Liles Silverman,William Whitaker Silverman, and Andrew Phipps Silverman of Raleigh, NC.
The family would like to extend its heartfelt gratitude to the exceptional staff of the Glenaire Health Care Center for their attentive and loving care of Mr. Phipps.
A memorial service will be held at Glenaire Retirement Community, 40000 Glenaire Circle, Cary, NC 27511 June 10 at 2:00 PM. A reception will be held at Glenaire following the service.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to St. Giles Presbyterian Church Endowment Fund, 5010
Oak Park Road, Raleigh, NC 27612 or The Glenaire Foundation, Inc., 4000 Glenaire Circle, Cary, NC 27511.