Tommy Allen Stipp, 72, Thayer, died Thursday, May 20, 2010 at his home in Thayer.

Tommy was born in rural Urbana on Jan. 19, 1938, the son of Virgil and Dottie Crystal Moses Stipp. He graduated from Thayer High School.

He served his country in the United States Army.

Tommy was a school bus driver, and earned several awards for Years of Service.

He was divorced.

He was a member of the N.R.A., Masonic Lodge #149, Chetopa Creek Gun Club and the Kansas Rifle Association.

Tommy enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, reading western books and antiques, a John Deere Tractor, Ford vehicles, and Winchester firearms.

He is survived by four sons, Jack Stipp, Thayer, Jim Stipp, Thayer, John Stipp, Nixa, Mo., and Jerry Stipp, Thayer; 10 grandchildren, Zachery Stipp, Cody Stipp, Chelsea Shwartz, Samantha Stipp, Scott Stipp, Dylan Stipp, Bradley Powell Stipp, Mason Stipp, Mariah Stipp and Ashley Stipp; two great-grandchildren, Nelson Allen Stipp and Adyn James Stipp; a brother, Dean Stipp; and a sister, Carrie Shay.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two grandchildren, Heidi Leanne Stipp and Shawn Micheal Stipp; seven brothers, Chester Stipp, Wayne Stipp, Delmar Stipp, Dale Stipp, Robert Stipp, Cecil Stipp, and Kenneth Stipp; and four sisters, Ellen Stipp, Iola Milner Phillips, Thelma Stipp Clemens, and Mabel Stipp Gilmore.

Funeral will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 26, at the Thayer Christian Church with Jim Pelley, minister, officiating. Burial will follow in the Thayer Cemetery. Military honors will be presented by the Chanute Honor Guard, and Masonic services will be performed by Masonic Lodge #149.

The family will receive friends this evening from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Penwell-Gabel Gibson Chapel in Chanute.

Memorials in his name may be made to Jerry Stipp for the Tommy Allen Stipp Memorial Fund and may be left with the funeral home.