A Celebration of Life for Eddie Wayne Gipson, age 77 years, of Enid, formerly of Vega, Texas, is 11 am, Saturday, January 20, 2018 at the First Baptist Church, Vega, Texas with Rev. Matt Crawford officiating. Burial was held Saturday, January 13, 2018 in Hillsdale Cemetery, Hillsdale, Oklahoma with Rev. Gail Edmison officiating. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home, Enid, Oklahoma.
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Eddie was born September 7, 1940 in Borger, Texas to Edd and Opal Lee (Childress) Gipson, and passed away Saturday, January 6, 2018 in Enid.
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Eddie attended Phillips High School in Phillips, Texas, graduating in 1959. He attended Panhandle State University in Goodwell, Oklahoma on a football scholarship, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in education in 1964. He married Kay Gilliam on August 14, 1960 at the First Baptist Church in Borger, Texas. He taught math and history and also coached football, track and basketball at Gruver High School, Gruver, TX: Sunray High School, Sunray, TX; Boise City High School, Boise City, OK; and Vega Public Schools in Vega, Texas. As well as teaching and coaching, Eddie also ran a oil pumping service for several years, made custom cabinets and did remodeling and finishing, and owned and operated the Mini Mart convenience store and gas station in Vega. He enjoyed playing cards with friends, golfing and spending time with his many dogs, giving a home to the occasional stray every now and then. Eddie enjoyed restoring old cars; his red T-Bird was a favorite. He and Kay were long-time members of the First Baptist Church of Vega, where his children were also brought up in. He taught Sunday school and performed many other duties such as mowing the lawn if it needed it, small repairs, and just being there when he was needed. If he wasn’t coaching them, he was present at his girls’ sporting events. Following retirement, Eddie enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren; they all remember getting to ride on the lawnmower, or if they were big enough, getting to drive it. They enjoyed working in his wood shop, making various projects. Eddie had a quick witted personality and never met a stranger. He motivated his students not only in sports, but in life; using his sense of humor and catchy nicknames for virtually everyone.
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He is preceded in death by his parents, Edd and Opal Gipson; and two sisters, Patsy Jean Criswell and Jaquetta Ryder.
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He is survived by his wife Kay Gipson, of the home in Enid; four daughters, Debbie Soule and husband Barry, of Spicewood, TX; Cari Thorpe and husband Glen, of Hillsdale, OK; Wendi Smith and husband Scott, of Tyler, TX; Ami Junell and husband Alan, of Amarillo, TX; twenty-seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Kim Gipson.
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Memorials in Eddie’s name may be to the First Baptist Church of Vega, Texas with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodian of the funds.
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Condolences may be made to the family online at www.LadusauEvans.com Ladusau-Evans has been serving the families of the Enid Community and surrounding areas for over 40 years with compassionate service and dedication. They provide families with an open door policy. Feel free to contact them 24 hours a day. Visitation Hours: 8:00 am – 9:00 pm daily, 2800 N. Van Buren, Enid, OK 73703. Call: (580) 233-1400.
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