Dean Ray Pippin Jr.

Dean Ray Pippin Jr, age 95, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas.

Ray was born December 13, 1929, in Bryan, Texas along with his twin sister Elizabeth Pippin Matthews (deceased), to Dean Ray Pippin Sr. and Opal Harris Pippin. After the unfortunate early deaths of his parents, Ray and Elizabeth (Sis), along with their younger brother Pat Paxton Pippin, (deceased), made their homes during the school months with their fraternal Aunt Floy Erskine of Bryan, Texas. During the summer months they would travel by train to stay with his maternal Aunt Florence Ferguson in Okemah, Oklahoma.

Ray began school in Bryan and graduated in 1947 from Stephen F Austin High School of Bryan in 1947. After graduation, he received a 2-year track scholarship to Tarleton College in Stephenville, Texas and served as the captain of the track team. He later finished a business degree at the University of Houston in 1958. During this time, he was a proud member of the National Guard for three years. With a strong interest in politics and love for his country, he committed to serve as a Kansas Republican delegate for Ronald Reagan in the 1980 presidential race.

Ray married Martha Manning (deceased), of Bryan, Texas on August 15, 1952. This union produced four children, Jeff Pippin, wife Nancy of Westlake Village, California, Cindy Winfrey and husband Herschell of Benbrook, Texas, David Pippin of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Linda Lewis and husband Kurt of Catoosa, Oklahoma. In 1986 he married Kay Smith Estes (deceased), of Bryan, giving him a stepdaughter, Leah Estes of Katy, Texas. He was the proud grandfather of Jay Bowen (deceased), Kyle Bowen, Kelly Quinn, Ryan Lewis, Carly Pippin, Tyler Lewis, Katie Cole, Austin Lewis, and Emily Pippin (deceased). His legacy also includes 11 great-grandchildren, and many cherished friends throughout his life.

His career was in petroleum sales which required the family to relocate to many different locations until settling in Olathe, Kansas where all four children graduated from Olathe High School. Later, after moving to Oklahoma City he retired from Cato Oil and Grease Company.

Ray leaves a legacy of faith in his family as he served several years in a leadership role of the Olathe Church of Christ. He was a lover of music and loved to sing and play his guitar for family and friends. This instilled in his children a love of music and musicals. He was also an avid sports fan especially following the Texas Aggies. As a student and avid reader of history, especially military, in 1995 he wrote a manuscript for publication entitled “Ten Events in History From 1914 To 1945 That Affect Our Lives Today”.

95 years on this earth gives his family many memories to cherish and as the song says, we will always love you.

His final resting place will be near his parents and grandparents in Bryan City Cemetery, Bryan, Texas.