Obituary of James Phipps

James L. Phipps, Sr. of Ocala, peacefully passed away on March 15, 2009 surrounded by his loving family. Jim was born in Annapolis, Maryland on January 11, 1925 to Anna Elizabeth (Bluford) Phipps and Clarence Franklin Phipps. Jim attended Annapolis High School and at the age of seventeen he joined the Navy. On December 9, 1944 he married the love of his life, Dorothy Ann Housley. They have been happily married for sixty-four years and have four children; James L., Jr. and Syntha Phipps of Indonesia, Connie (Phipps) and Gary Van Ryzin of Ocala, John and Donna Phipps of Stevensville, Maryland and Susan (Phipps) and Elwayne Gragg of Ocala. Jim and Dot also have nine grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. Jim is preceded in death by his brother Clarence Phipps, brother Kenneth Phipps and grandson Sgt. Phillip W. Feeser III. Jim has 34 combined military and civil service. During WWII he served with the Navy in Guadalcanal for two years. He also served with the Army in the Korean War as a shipmaster. After returning from Korea he continued his military career at the Naval Academy as an Architectural Engineer as well as Assistant Director of Public Works. He was a member of the 1957 Championship Pistol Team. In 1965 he earned the Distinguished Pistol Shoot Badge. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana State University in 1978. Jim retired from the Army in 1985. Throughout his military career he received numerous awards and medals. Following his retirement, Jim took a position with the Naval Academy Athletic Association as pistol coach. He held this position for 13 years and had many successes. He coached the pistol team to two National Championships in 1984 and 1985. In 1986 he was the NRA Coach of the Year. He also coached the U.S. Olympic Pistol Team during the 1988 Summer Olympics. Jim was a member of the VFW, a lifetime member of the NRA as well as the Annapolis Elks Club, a member of the Golf Makers Association and won several awards and championships for bowling. Jim enjoyed spending his free time with family and friends, traveling, shooting, golfing, playing the organ, reading, boating, coin collecting, playing horseshoes, bowling and telling jokes. Jim had a joke for every occasion and was always making people laugh. Funeral service will be held Saturday, March 21, 2009 at 2:00 PM at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services -TimberRidge Chapel, 9695 SW 110th St., Ocala. Visitation will be prior to the service from 12:00 - 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 21, 2009. Condolences may be posted to hiers-baxley.com.