James Kipp

1952 - 2022

James Kipp
10/20/1952 - 11/03/2022
Funeral services for James Kipp, 70 of Spicewood, Texas, are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at St. Michael's Lutheran Church in Winchester, Texas with Rev. Nate Hill officiating. Burial will follow in the Winchester City Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday, November 11, 2022 from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday, November 12, 2022 from 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. at Phillips and Luckey Funeral Home in Giddings. The Kipp family will be present for visitation Friday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

James Marshall Kipp was born on October 20, 1952 in Austin, Texas, the oldest of three children born to Marvin Lee James Kipp and Elizabeth Lillian (Kleiber) Kipp. He was baptized on November 2, 1952 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Austin. He attended grade school at St. Paul Lutheran School, graduated from Reagan High School, and received his BBA and MBA from the University of Texas at Austin. James was united in marriage to the "love of his life", Cynthia Carlson, on January 7, 1978 in Austin. They were blessed with three children, Christine, Bradley, and Cameron.

James joined the Energy Division of First City National Bank's Houston office in 1979. In 1983, along with some close colleagues from First City, James founded the Energy Investment Banking Unit for First Union National Bank (which subsequently merged with Wachovia, then Wells Fargo). Within 10 years James rose to Executive Vice President and Division Head. James retired in 2018 as the Managing Director and Global Head of Energy & Power Investment Banking. Throughout his 40-year career James focused on service to energy clients - raising all forms of capital and dispensing strategic advice. He was a great friend, mentor, teacher, and leader to the many bankers who had the privilege of working with and for James. He had a reputation for building strong and durable personal relationships with his many clients, some of which he banked for his entire career. James was a long-time member of the Petroleum Club, along with energy industry associations such as the Independent Petroleum Association of America, the American Petroleum Institute, and the Houston Producers Forum.

Always active in his community, James served on the Boy Scouts of America Board and the local Municipal Utility District Board. Family, though, was the heart of James' world. He enjoyed spending time with them at Lake Travis in Spicewood, the ranch in Kendalia, and the family farm in Winchester. As the boat captain at their home on the lake James taught his children, grandchildren, and nieces and nephews how to water ski and tube. In recent years, James described his grandchildren as "the icing on the cake of my life".

James had a lifelong love for baseball, playing in the local Little League growing up, at Reagan during his high school years, and with the Winchester community baseball team as well. He passed that love along to his children, both as a 10-year Bellaire Little League Baseball coach and an Astros fan. James was an avid wine collector and enthusiast, traveling with his family to numerous wineries including those in the Napa Valley, Sonoma, Italy, and France. He enjoyed sharing his passion, knowledge, and collection with others through informative and entertaining wine tastings. In retirement, James became an avid gardener and birdwatcher.

James was a man of rock-solid faith and wise counsel. He lived his life by Romans 8:28 "and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." He followed Jesus' example in John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

James always said that he wanted to spend the rest of his life at his ranch in Kendalia. It was there that he passed away unexpectedly the evening of Thursday, November 3, 2022 with Cindy by his side.

He was preceded in death by his father, Marvin Kipp, on April 14, 2019.

James is survived by his wife of nearly 45 years, Cindy Kipp of Spicewood; his three children, Christine Kipp of Houston, Bradley Kipp & his wife, Amy of Virginia, and Cameron Kipp & his wife, Larkin of Houston; five grandchildren, James, Henry, Fintan, and Oliver Kipp of Virginia and Caroline Kipp of Houston; his mother, Elizabeth Kipp of Winchester; two sisters, Cindy Cave and her husband, Tom of Richardson and Carol Stewart, and her husband, Joe of Austin; mother-in-law, Edna Carlson of Houston; two brothers-in-law, Keith Carlson and his wife, Claudia of Houston and Larry Carlson of Dallas, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to St. Michael's Lutheran Church, 700 Frio Street, Winchester, Texas 78945 or to the Winchester Area Volunteer Fire Department, 8810 FM 153, Winchester, Texas 78945.

Arrangements by Phillips and Luckey Funeral Home in Giddings.