Garland Ray Lipsey Jr.

Decatur ~ Garland Ray Lipsey Jr., 81, went to be with our Lord Tuesday, September 18, 2018 in Decatur.

Funeral is 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 21, 2018 at Hawkins Funeral Home Chapel Decatur with burial in Oaklawn Cemetery. Family will receive friends 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Friday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur.

Rick Ross and Mark Duncan will officiate. Pallbearers include Jim Bob Hampton, Joe Harding, David Lipsey Jr., Josh Lipsey, Brent Duggar, and Trey Fernihough. Honorary pallbearers are Cecil Brown, J.L. Heasteande, and Carl Fennell.

Garland was born on August 4, 1937 to Garland “Buck” Sr. and Velma (Bennett) Lipsey in Decatur, Texas. He was united in marriage to Wyvonne Kemp on June 30, 1955 in Decatur. Garland was a retired owner/operator of escavation company. He was a member of the Decatur Church of Christ. Garland was a jack of all trades and self-taught to be a master of many. He was self-employed most of his life operating bulldozers, maintainers, backhoes, and other equipment. He did asphalt paving and concrete work and later raised cattle and hay. He could do plumbing and electrical work, and actually built his last home from the slab up. Years ago, he decided that he wanted to learn to fly and owned a small plane. He enjoyed driving down the road and looking at beautiful ranches, and beautifying his own small acreage. He also enjoyed helping other people with anything he could.

He was preceded in death by his parents, G.R. “Buck” Lipsey and Velma Lipsey; his daughter, Lanelle Lipsey; his brother, James Lipsey.

Those left behind to cherish his memory are his wife of 63 years, Wyvonne Lipsey of Decatur; his son, David Lipsey of Graham; his daughters, Laurie Lipsey of Bryan, Sherri Harding and husband Joe of Mineola; his granddaughters, Breanne Fernihough and husband Trey of Decatur, Kristy Nantz and husband Rodney of Oleney, Jessica Gibson and husband Jason of Gardendale, Alabama, Lauren Duggar and husband Brent of Wimberly, Texas; his grandsons, David Lipsey and wife Toree, Josh Lipsey and wife Laci; 8 great grandchildren; his brother, Richard Lipsey of Garland, Texas; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.

Memorials may be made to Cook Children Hospital or Solaris Hospice