Thomas Odell Phipps

Of Violet Hill, Arkansas

Thomas Odell Phipps, son of the late John William Carl "Mutt" Phipps, Jr. and Cassie Jane Haney Phipps, was born June 20, 1935 in Larkin, Arkansas.  He departed this life October 6, 2023 in Batesville, Arkansas at the age of 88 years, 3 months and 16 days.  He was a lifelong resident of Izard County. He was united in marriage to Kathrean "Kat" Gillihan December 23, 1960 and together they raised four children. Tom spent his life as a loving son, brother, husband, uncle, father, grandfather, great grandfather, provider and friend.  Most of his working years were spent at Uniman Sand Plant at Guion where he was a Drilling and Blasting Supervisor.  He was of the Church of Christ faith and a member of the Melbourne Church of Christ.

Tom is survived by two sons and two daughters-in-law: Mike and Angie Phipps of Violet Hill and Sonny and Marla Phipps of Truman; two daughters and two sons-in-law: LaDonna and Michael Brock of Hot Springs and Linda and Allen Shaver of Conway; six siblings:  Dean Phipps of Larkin, Jim (Melda) Phipps of Newburg, Carl Jr, (Shelia) Phipps of Jonesboro, Janie (Raybourne) Tate of Melbourne, Jerry (Kathy) Phipps of Hickory Ridge and Gaye (Harold) Carpenter of Violet Hill; nine grandchildren:  Katie Phipps, Cody Phipps, Ethan Phipps, Justin McCord, Cassandra McCord, Renee Clemente, Darcy Wilson, Jeremy Shaver, Colten Shaver; nine great grandchildren:  Sophie Shaver, Lucy Shaver, Maggie Shaver, Alivia McCord, Harper McCord, A.J. Clemente, Leo Clemente, Cecilia Wilson, Xavier Wilson; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and many good friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers:  Gale Phipps and Paul Phipps and one grandson:  Tommy Phipps.

Visitation and funeral service will be Wednesday, October 11 at Eddie's Family Funeral Home in Melbourne.  Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m.  Funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. with Donald Gillihan officiating.  Burial will follow at Old Philadelphia Cemetery in Larkin.

Memorials may be made to: Arkansas Children's Hospital, 1 Children's Way, Little Rock, Arkansas 72202.

St. Jude's Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.

Old Philadelphia Cemetery, C/O Betty McCollum P.O. Box 1264, Melbourne, Arkansas 72556.

Pallbearers:  Rick Haney, Randy Haney, Tony Cooper, Calvin Cooper, Steve Phipps, Kelly Phipps.

Honorary Pallbearers:  Carl Phipps, Jr., Jim Phipps, Jerry Phipps, Dean Phipps.