Lawrence "Bart" Lipps passed away on Thursday, Feb. 6, at the age of 81.
Bart was born in 1943 to Leonard and Vine (Petrie) Lipps in New Lyme, Ohio (Ashtabula County), living on a small dairy farm with his older brother, Larry and younger sister, Linda.
Following his graduation from New Lyme-Deming High School in 1961, Bart moved to Florida, fulfilling his dream to live where it was warm year-round.
He resided in many cities throughout the Sunshine State but eventually found Vero Beach, Fla., to be his home with Pam, his wife of 36 years.
Together, they owned and operated Indian River Contracting until his retirement in 2006.
Upon retirement, Bart and Pam (and Goldie) moved to the west end of Live Oak to fulfill another dream of owning a small farm where they raised/sold cows and had an amazing garden full of peanuts and sugar cane. A highlight at the farm each year was the annual gathering with friends and family who came to help make sugar cane syrup, enjoy fellowship, and, of course, take home an extra jar or two.
Upon moving to Live Oak, Bart and Pam became involved at the Mt. Gilead Baptist Church, which was just down the road from the farmhouse. Quickly treating those at the church like extended family, they served not only on Sundays but also with many ministries in the community including the food bank throughout the week.
After selling the farm and moving closer to town due to health issues, Bart attended the Westside Baptist Church for the past few years.
Bart was also a lifelong fan of antique machinery with a special interest in farm equipment.
Whether it be visitors at his home or displaying it at the local county fairs in Ohio and Florida, Bart never missed an opportunity to show off his antique Allis Chalmers tractor, bought new by his father in 1953.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Pam (Roach) Lipps; sister, Linda (Lipps) Hall; and brother, Larry Lipps.
Bart is survived by three sons, Leonard Propper, Larry Propper and Loren Propper; two step-sons, Anthony and Brian Michaux; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brother-in-law Jim Hall (Linda) and sister-in-law Janet Lipps (Larry); two nieces; three nephews; and lots of Lipps cousins.
