James "Jim" Edward Lippard, Sr.

James (Jim) Edward Lippard, Sr. passed away peacefully at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home in Winston-Salem, NC on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. He was born August 11,1935 in Columbia, South Carolina to George Albert Lippard, Sr. and Corrinne Leonard Lippard. He lived with his parents and brother, George, Jr. in the Gresham Hotel where his father was manager for 20 ½ years. He always said that growing up in a hotel, especially during World War II, was an amazing experience.

Jim graduated from University High School where he was Vice President and President of the student body, Co-Captain of the basketball team, and Valedictorian. He initially attended Davidson College before transferring and graduating in 1957 from University of South Carolina (USC) with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. At USC, he was on the honor roll, Dean’s list, and a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity where he was Rush Chairman, Treasurer, and German Club representative. On May 14, 1955, during his sophomore year at USC, he married the love of his life, Lucy Elizabeth Cole, who was a senior in high school. They both lived in the Gresham Hotel for the first few years of their marriage.

Jim was an avid Gamecocks fan. He was the water boy for the Gamecock football team from 1945-1949 and assisted the Public Information Director in the press box from 1949-1952. He also was the batboy for the visiting team that was playing the USC baseball team.

After graduation from USC, he began his career at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (RJR) in Winston-Salem, NC in the Engineering department. In April 1957, Jim was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served in the Ordnance Corps at Rossford Ordnance Depot in Rossford, Ohio where he was player/coach of the basketball team and enlisted personnel representative on the Scientific and Professional council. He was also a bartender at the Officer’s Club.

Jim returned to RJR in 1960. In 1961, he began his career in engineering at Archer Aluminum (RJR Archer) where most of his career he was Manager of Corporate Engineering. Jim represented RJR Archer on the RJR Nabisco task forces including Environmental, Energy Conservation, and Safety and Health. Jim retired in 1994 as Manufacturing Director at Plant 200 for RJR Packaging.

Jim was a lifelong Lutheran and served on the steering committee that formed Epiphany Lutheran Church. He served in multiple roles at Epiphany including Vice President (now President) of the congregation, Sunday school teacher, participated on numerous committees, active on all building committees, and co-chaired the 2000 building committee. In 2019, Jim began calling all members to wish them a Happy Birthday and all couples to wish them a Happy Anniversary.

Jim was active in the community over the years where he served as a member of the Environmental Quality Committee of the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce; United Way Vice Chairman of Business III; Vice President of Town and Country Recreation Center; President of Northwest Forsyth Little League; President of USC Triad Alumni Association; President of Tanglewood Golf Association; Captain of Marshalls for 17th and 18th holes of the 1974 PGA Golf Tournament; President of Pine Brook Country Club (now Maple Chase Golf and Country Club); Co-Chair of Golf Operations , Chair of Tournament Operations, and member of the Executive Committee for the Crosby National Celebrity Golf Tournament; and a member of the golf committee of the Crosby Scholars Golf Tournament. In 1998, Jim was presented the “Angel Award” at The Crosby Clambake. The award is chosen personally by Kathryn Crosby (Bing Crosby’s widow) when a person stands out and has made a significant contribution to the tournament. In 2019, Jim received another “Angel Award” for his contribution and support of The Crosby Scholars Program.

Outside of Winston-Salem, Jim served on the USC Alumni Advisory Council; the North Carolina State University Engineering School Advisory Council; Director of N.C. Educational Foundation; the Governors Volunteer Energy Conservation Corps; a member of the Brain injury Association of North Carolina (BIANC); and a member of the BIANC golf committee.

After retirement, Jim became a strong advocate for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) survivors because of his son, Cole, who suffered a severe TBI in a single car accident in 1993. As a strong TBI catalyst and working with Lutheran Family Services in the Carolinas (now Lutheran Services Carolinas), two group homes (Peace Haven and Lippard Lodge) were opened in Forsyth County for TBI survivors. These were the only TBI homes in the Triad area. For his efforts in raising awareness and help founding the TBI group homes, Jim received the Honor Blanket Award in 2006 (the highest award given by a Native American) from Tony Dreamwalker, a Native American who lost his daughter to a brain injury.

In 2011, Jim and Lucy established the Lippard Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) fund at the Winston-Salem Foundation to support Lippard Lodge and other residential facilities for TBI survivors; programs that support TBI survivors and their families; and research and prevention of Traumatic Brain injuries. In 2017, Jim renamed the Lippard TBI Fund to the Lippard Traumatic/Acquired (TBI/ABI) Fund to provide the same type of support to all TBI and ABI survivors.

Jim loved the Lord, his family, and many friends he had been blessed with during his lifetime. He and Lucy enjoyed watching their children and grandchildren participate in their many sports and school activities. Jim enjoyed playing golf and as Lucy would put it, his “Day Care”. He planted many flowers, bushes, and trees for Lucy and they were both very proud of their yard. In 1987, Jim had a swimming pool installed in their backyard for Lucy’s benefit. She swam almost every day as therapy for her Rheumatoid Arthritis. The children and grandchildren also enjoyed the pool.

Jim was certainly thankful and blessed to have Lucy as his wife and best friend for over 62 ½ years. She was his rock.

Jim was a full-time sports fan, whether watching TV or attending games or tournaments. In Jim’s golf career, he made two hole-in-ones, shot his age or better on numerous occasions, and played in the GGO Pro-Am and the Vantage Championship Pro-Am. He enjoyed attending “The Masters” Golf Tournament many years with his brother George and his many golf trips to Bedford Springs, Pennsylvania.

Jim was predeceased by his parents, his loving wife, Lucy, his brother Dr. George A. Lippard, Jr. and his wife, Myra, and his sister-in-law, Carolyn Gilden. He is survived by his daughter Kathryn Lippard Gaither (Wayne); son James (Jimmy) Edward Lippard, Jr. (Katie); daughter Allison Lippard Morris (Lou); and son Charles Cole Lippard; grandchildren Jeffrey Gaither, II; Keenan Lippard (Erica); Kirk Lippard; Anderson Lippard; Jacob Lippard; Ross Lippard (Paige); Trey Morris; and Sarah Morris; Great Grandchildren Camden VanEaton, Eli Lippard, Kole Lippard, Madi Lippard, and Alden Lippard; sister-in-law Mary Anne Debose (Carl) and Sue Gunter, and Sylvia Anne Derrick; brother-in-law Bill Gilden; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Lutheran Church of the Epiphany at 5220 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC 27106 on Saturday, May 10, at 11:00am with a visitation reception following the service.

The family would like to thank the many church members, neighbors, and friends for your recent visits to see our Dad. In addition, we would like to thank Gladys, Tennie, the doctors and staff of Novant Health, and the staff at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home for all your love and care for our Dad.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Winston-Salem Foundation (751 West Fourth Street, Suite 200, Winston-Salem, NC, 27101) designated to the Lippard Traumatic/Acquired Brain Injury Fund.