My father was born Oscar Leo Lipscomb on September 23, 1928, the fifth of twelve children, and one member of two sets of twins. His father, Dolphus Oscar Lipscomb, and his mother, Bertie White Lipscomb, were cotton farmers who instilled in their children a love of God and family. They were also taught that work was honorable, and that honesty, integrity, and helping others were qualities far more important than material possessions. The family was close-knit and loving; however, they suffered through the deaths of three of the children. Sadly, one of these was my father's twin, Dolphus Leon, who died suddenly when the boys were just thirteen years old. My dad often spoke of his brother Leon and the years they never had a chance to share. He also spoke of his other lost siblings; one of the few times I can recall my father crying was when he told me of his baby sister Pauline's death, and how he saw his mother cradling the baby as she sang softly and rocked the infant, while preparing her body for the funeral and burial.
My father was a born builder and puzzle-solver.My Aunt Sue called him the "toy maker" in the family. He always wanted to be active, busy and involved. As a boy, he made toys that the younger siblings could enjoy, such as wooden carts that the farm dogs could pull. He also built see-saws and swings for all to enjoy when they were not busy with their many chores. Aunt Sue recalled how my Dad could always find a creative way to transform old tires from the farm equipment into a new plaything. He never backed away from a challenge; in fact, he welcomed them.
As he grew into adulthood, Dad left the family farm and ultimately joined the United States Navy to serve in the Korean War. During the end of his time in the service, he met his future wife and my mother, Barbara. They fell in love, married and started a family. I came along in August 1953, and my brother Kerry Michael joined us in May 1957. We had a happy childhood, thanks to our strong, loving parents, and the values they instilled in us. My parents loved each other, it was plain to see. Dad would sometimes grab Mom and kiss her impetuously just to get the expected "eeeewwww" reaction from Kerry and me. He continued this practice after the grandchildren came along, who also provided the same reaction, much to Dad's delight. He was a man who loved to laugh, and was always able to find the positive side of almost any situation. He truly was an individual with a love for life and he approached each day with enthusiasm.
After he retired from US Air in 1991, where he had enjoyed a long and successful career, he and Mom were able to move to his beloved "Villa" in Fairmont, West Virginia, which he had purchased in the 70's and had worked on diligently in his spare time and on weekends. As I mentioned before, Dad loved a challenge, and this was a big one. Over the years, Dad transformed a dilapidated, run-down piece of property into a beautiful gentleman's farm, with graceful trees, a fish pond, and acres of gently rolling green hills. Their water was spring-fed, and their heat was mainly provided by a woodstove that Dad also used to heat the kettle. Although their house did have modern conveniences, Dad and Mom preferred to live simply, without adversely impacting the environment. They were "green" before it was in fashion. Dad also believed that, when he left a place, it should be in better condition than when he found it. He had plenty of practice with that over the years, as he repaired, fixed up, and generally improved all of my residences, throughout my adult life, from my college days up until the recent past, when he began to feel unwell. He never arrived for a visit without his tools, and always asked me to have a list of things that needed to be done while he was visiting. I was happy to oblige, because there was nothing that my Dad could not fix. My children sometimes chided me for keeping "Pop-Pop" so busy when he visited, but he told them he was happiest when he was doing something, and even more so when he was helping someone he loved. Dad used to tell me that as long as I kept feeding him, he would keep working. It always seemed like a good deal to me, because I loved to cook for Dad, mostly because he seemed to love almost everything I prepared for him. It gave me great joy to do that for my father, this man who had given me so much over the years, and who continued to give me his time and his talent without question, hesitation or complaint.
Eventually, it came time to sell the "Villa" and move to a place that did not require quite so much maintenance. Mom and Dad decided to return to Pennsylvania, and built a home in Middleburg, where they moved in May 2007. As it worked out, my family and I also moved to Pennsylvania from New Jersey in July 2007, so for the first time in years, we were living in close proximity to Mom and Dad. All of us were happy about this and looked forward to spending even more time together as an extended family.
Sadly, this was not to be. In late summer of 2007, Dad began to feel unwell, and had a series of medical tests to determine the cause. In November 2007, he received the devastating news that he had terminal cancer. He faced this challenge as he had faced others throughout his life - with strength and determination. He learned as much as he could about his illness, conferred with his doctors, and ultimately decided against treatment, knowing there was nothing that could be done for him medically. Dad and Mom discussed the situation at length, and Dad opted to let nature take its course and die with dignity. As he said to me once, he did not believe that living by artificial means was living at all. My father knew what it was to truly live, to embrace each day, and appreciate every breath, every moment we are alive. He never took life for granted, and never lost his childlike wonder at the world around him. He delighted in the small things, such as the antics of a kitten, or the sound of a bird, a sunrise over the mountain, or the sight of spring seedlings after a long winter. And, when he knew his time was short, he never had a trace of self-pity, telling me instead that he was blessed, and that he had enjoyed a good life, with few regrets. Dad's main concern in those final months was that my mother would be cared for. I was fortunate to be able to spend many hours with him and my mother in those final months, and for that I am grateful.
And when his time came, it arrived peacefully, as he deserved. My mother and I were nearby, and he was surrounded by love as his soul was called home.
My father taught me many things about life, and how to live honorably, with dignity and integrity. And in the end, Dad taught me much about how to die with honor and dignity. Thank you, Dad, for everything, and most of all, for loving us so well.
Born: Sep 23, 1928 in Lawrenceburg,TN
Died: Jan 28, 2008 in Middleburg,PA
About: United States Navy, Korean War Veteran, Lions Club
ObituaryOn January 28, 2008, Oscar Leo "Lee" Lipscomb passed away peacefully at home after a courageous battle with cancer. In his passing, he was surrounded by love as he had been in life. Lee was born on September 23, 1928 in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, the fifth of twelve children. His twin brother, Leon, tragically died when the boys were thirteen years old. Lee entered the United States Navy at the age of nineteen, and served in the Korean War. In 1952, he married Barbara Joan Yanosch of Minersville, Pennsylvania. They had two children, Kathleen and Kerry Michael. Lee had a long and successful career in the commercial aviation industry, and retired in 1991 to Fairmont, West Virginia, where he owned a forty acre property. In that setting, he was able to indulge his great love of the outdoors. In May 2007, Lee and Barbara moved to Middleburg, PA, where they resided at the time of his illness and subsequent passing. Lee is survived by his loving wife, his two children, and six grandchildren, whom he loved greatly, and always gave him a reason to smile. As per his wishes, his remains were cremated, and the ashes have been lovingly entrusted to his daughter, Kathleen.
