ANDREW J. "A.J." PHIPPS

Andrew J. "A.J." Phipps, 80, of Richmond, MO, died at 11:36 a.m., Tuesday, November 9, 2010, at North Care Hospice House in North Kansas City, MO.
A.J. was born July 1, 1930 in Sparta, IL to Andrew M. and Thelma (Perkins) Phipps. He married Betty A. Schwensen of Richmond on July 15, 1956; she survives, of the home.
Other survivors include two sons and one daughter-in-law, Darrell and Denise Phipps of Richmond, and Steven Phipps of Kansas City, MO; two daughters and two sons-in-law, April and Russ Green of Richmond, and Julia and Stacy Grimm of Richmond; six grandchildren, Timothy M. Grimm, Andrew J. "Joe" Grimm, Joshua Green and his wife, Ashley, Danielle Green, Darrell S. Phipps, II and Derek L. Phipps; and two great-grandchildren, Bishop Grimm and Gabriella Phipps.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by one sister, Teressa Davenport; and one grandson, Richard Grimm, who died in infancy.
A.J. was an Inspector for the Engineering Department for the Missouri State Highway Department for 34 years before retiring in 1991. He lived in Richmond most of his life. He was a member of the Richmond First Baptist Church. He was a Councilman for the City of Richmond representing Ward I, serving his first term from 1992 to 1994 and his second and third terms from 1996 to 1999. He was a member of the Ray County Historical Society, I.O.O.F. Lodge, Ray County American Legion Post #237, Subic Bay Association, an Honorary member of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say and a former member of the Boy Scout Troop #324. He had also served on the Ray County Museum board.
He was a U.S. Navy SeaBees veteran of the Korean War where he was stationed at Subec Bay, Philippines.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the American Legion Post #237 or the Donor's Choice.

Funeral services will be Friday, November 12, at 1:00 p.m. at the Thurman Funeral Home, Richmond, MO. Visitation will be Thursday, November 11, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Thurman Funeral Home, Richmond, MO. Burial will be in Sunny Slope Cemetery, Richmond, MO, where military graveside services will be conducted by the Ray County Veterans.