Fred Lips

Fred was born in Coffeyville, KS on January 7, 1949 to John Henry Lips, Jr and Iris Christina (Olson) Lips Crawford. He passed away September 28, 2022 at Meadowlark Hills Riley House Retirement Community in Riley, KS at the age of 73.

He was raised in Coffeyville where he attended Coffeyville Grade School, Roosevelt Junior High, graduating from Field Kindley Memorial High School in 1967. Fred earned a degree in Computer Programming in 1971 from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, KS. He was a computer analyst and COBOL programmer from 1971 - 2012 starting his career in Kansas City, KS working for Gambles and moving to Plymouth, MN in 1986 working first for Red Owl Foods then SuperValue Foods. Fred moved to Manhattan, KS in the fall of 2018 to be closer to family.

Fred had many hobbies through the years including woodworking, trains, flags, coin collecting and music. In college he was a sound/light technician for a band called the Rising Sun. His love for music has a legacy with donations to the Music In Plymouth Endowment Fund as well as a Pittsburg State University Music Scholarship in his name. Fred also has a Computer Science Information Systems Scholarship Endowment at Pittsburg State University.

Another passion Fred had was being a long-time volunteer for the Jefferson High School Boys Swim and Dive Team (Bloomington, MN). He was the ‘official’ timer for Lane 6 and never missed a swim meet.

In retirement he was a long-time volunteer for the City of Plymouth for the Information Technology and Adopt-A-Park programs. Fred was recognized in the fall of 2015 as a ‘Volunteer of the Quarter’.

Fred always made it home to the family farm in Bartlett, KS for the wheat harvest in June and Christmas. He was extremely close to his brother Stan Lips who preceded him in death and sister-in-law Marty Lips of Manhattan, KS. Fred is also survived by his three nieces Lori (Mark) Schramm of The Colony, TX, Jan (Marshall) Streeter of Cheyenne, WY and Amy (Mack) Terrapin of Alma, KS, his step-sister, Sharon (Crawford) Brown of Prairie Village, KS, six great-nieces and nephews, Brooke (Phill) Wilson, Layne (Alex) Miles, Nick (Brooke) Terrapin, Alli Terrapin, Claire Streeter and Lauren Streeter and four great-great nieces and nephews, Reid and Blaire Wison and Henry and Kate Miles.

Private family graveside services will be held at the Lake Creek Union Cemetery, Barlett, Kansas.

Online condolences may be left for the family by clicking on "Share A Memory" on this page.

Memorial contributions may be made to either the Meadowlark Hills Foundation - In Support of Meadowlark Memory Program or the Thomas Jefferson High School - Bloomington, MN - Boys Swim and Dive Team. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.