The Salinas Valley lost James (Jim) W. Lipe, Sr., a beloved father, brother, grandfather, friend and company leader, to cancer on Saturday, May 17, 2012. Although the journey to peace was laden with struggles, his final days were restful and in the presence of loved ones.
Jim entered into life June 26, 1939, in Escondido, CA. At the age of four, his family moved to the Salinas Valley, where Jim would spend the rest of his days dedicated to Agriculture and the communities surrounding it.
Jim attended elementary school at Sacred Heart and was the first generation to attend grades 7-12 at Palma High School, graduating in 1957.
Driving along the Salinas Valley, surrounded on either side are fields of bountiful produce that were Jim’s playground. He worked 7 days a week, knowing full well that crops, and Mother Nature, didn’t care what day of the week it was. Jim was determined to continue viewing fields, riding along his normal route to the very end. His dedication and hard work served as an example of leadership to all of his employees at NH3 Service Company, the company to which Jim poured his life’s legacy.
Those who worked with him thought of him more as a father figure, a trait which has garnered years of loyalty from employees, customers and vendors alike. Jim is survived by his soul mate, Sally Price of Charleston, SC, daughter Julie Lipe Lafferty (Mike), grandchildren Aidan and Lindy Lafferty of Tahoma, CA, son William Lipe of Salinas, CA, son James W. Lipe, Jr. (Shelley), grandchildren Stephen and Katherine Lipe of Salinas, CA, Son Michael Lipe (Robyn), grandchildren Cody and Loren Lipe of Salinas, CA and sisters Margy Silveria of Salinas, CA and Kay Pistone of Las Vegas, NV.
He was preceded in death by his father, William T. Lipe, mother Katherine Lipe and brothers Thomas Lipe and Stephen Lipe.
Jim was known to give selflessly to those around him, never hesitating to extend his support when it was needed most. Whether it was a stern message steering you in the right direction or a joke to lift your spirits, he always had something important to say. Rarely, if ever, did Jim ask for anything from anyone, his independence evident to the very end.
Jim was a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West and the Salinas Golf and Country Club and was Past President of the Spreckles School Board. Jim enjoyed golfing, trips to Reno and Las Vegas and skiing with his family in the mountains. He was an avid sports enthusiast; he especially enjoyed golf, college hockey and the Sharks.As we reflect on Jim’s departure, we see a man whose priorities in life were, work hard, treat your family and friends as you would have yourself treated then everything else in life will fall in to place.
We invite friends and family to join us in a Celebration of Life on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, at 10:30 A.M. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Spreckles, CA. The service will be followed by a Reception at Amaral Barn on Parker Road just off River Road.
Donations can be made to the Hospice of the Central Coast, 2 Upper Ragsdale Dr. Ste. D210 Monterey, CA 93940 or the charity of the donor’s choice.
Funeral Arrangements by Struve and Laporte Funeral Home.
Online condolences to www.struveandlaporte.com
