Obituary for Walter Alex Chipley
Walter Alex Chipley, born March 21, 1958, in Kosciusko, MS, passed away at St. Catherine’s Village in Ridgeland, MS, on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, from Alzheimer’s Disease. A Celebration of Life will be held in the near future.
Walter graduated from Kosciusko High School and during those years, he developed a life-long love for playing the baritone while participating in the Kosciusko “Big Red” band, where he also met his future wife, Karen. Walter graduated from Mississippi State University in Starkville, MS, with a degree in electrical engineering. He began his career in Ridgeland, MS, and eventually had an opportunity to move to Denver, CO, where he and his family lived for 20 years. His career of 34 years ended due to early onset of Alzheimer’s Disease. He and Karen returned to Madison, MS, in late 2017, where he spent his remaining years.
Walter passed his love of music along to his daughter, Stephanie, who marched in the Blue Knights Drum & Bugle Corps of Denver, Colorado, much to his delight. He and Stephanie, along with Karen, made many annual trips to the Drum Corps International marching finals, and some of his fondest memories were made during those times. Walter also cherished his time driving to basketball practices and games all throughout his son Rob’s elementary, middle and high school days. He tried his best to never miss a game. They also had great fun attending Denver Nuggets games.
In addition, Walter achieved the rank of 2nd degree black belt in both Hapkido and Taekwondo, and he passed that hobby along to both Stephanie and Rob.
Walter is survived by his wife of 39 years, the former Karen Baxter, of Madison, MS, and his two children, Stephanie Chipley of Salt Lake City, UT, and Rob Chipley of Colorado Springs, CO. He is also survived by his mother, Mary Kyle, of McCool, MS; three siblings, Flora J. Chipley, Webb Chipley (Linda), Lois Shinabargar (Tink), all of the Kosciusko, MS area; and many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, who live throughout Mississippi. He was preceded in death by his father, Alex Chipley (Glynda) of McComb, MS, and his stepfather, Weldon Kyle, of McCool, MS. He also leaves behind his beloved dog Baxter, who followed him everywhere, in the care of Karen.
The family would like to thank St. Catherine’s Village, Dr. George Patton, Leslie Haines, NP, Dr. Scott Gibson, Shannon and Steve Myers, along with Debbie Carley, for all their assistance and guidance throughout Walter’s extended illness. In addition, they would like to acknowledge Dr. Greg Everson and Dr. Jonathan Woodcock at the University of Colorado Hospital for all their medical care in Denver.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) or the Blue Knights Drum & Bugle Corps (https://ascendperformingarts.org/).
For online condolences please visit culpepperfuneralhome.com
Walter graduated from Kosciusko High School and during those years, he developed a life-long love for playing the baritone while participating in the Kosciusko “Big Red” band, where he also met his future wife, Karen. Walter graduated from Mississippi State University in Starkville, MS, with a degree in electrical engineering. He began his career in Ridgeland, MS, and eventually had an opportunity to move to Denver, CO, where he and his family lived for 20 years. His career of 34 years ended due to early onset of Alzheimer’s Disease. He and Karen returned to Madison, MS, in late 2017, where he spent his remaining years.
Walter passed his love of music along to his daughter, Stephanie, who marched in the Blue Knights Drum & Bugle Corps of Denver, Colorado, much to his delight. He and Stephanie, along with Karen, made many annual trips to the Drum Corps International marching finals, and some of his fondest memories were made during those times. Walter also cherished his time driving to basketball practices and games all throughout his son Rob’s elementary, middle and high school days. He tried his best to never miss a game. They also had great fun attending Denver Nuggets games.
In addition, Walter achieved the rank of 2nd degree black belt in both Hapkido and Taekwondo, and he passed that hobby along to both Stephanie and Rob.
Walter is survived by his wife of 39 years, the former Karen Baxter, of Madison, MS, and his two children, Stephanie Chipley of Salt Lake City, UT, and Rob Chipley of Colorado Springs, CO. He is also survived by his mother, Mary Kyle, of McCool, MS; three siblings, Flora J. Chipley, Webb Chipley (Linda), Lois Shinabargar (Tink), all of the Kosciusko, MS area; and many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, who live throughout Mississippi. He was preceded in death by his father, Alex Chipley (Glynda) of McComb, MS, and his stepfather, Weldon Kyle, of McCool, MS. He also leaves behind his beloved dog Baxter, who followed him everywhere, in the care of Karen.
The family would like to thank St. Catherine’s Village, Dr. George Patton, Leslie Haines, NP, Dr. Scott Gibson, Shannon and Steve Myers, along with Debbie Carley, for all their assistance and guidance throughout Walter’s extended illness. In addition, they would like to acknowledge Dr. Greg Everson and Dr. Jonathan Woodcock at the University of Colorado Hospital for all their medical care in Denver.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) or the Blue Knights Drum & Bugle Corps (https://ascendperformingarts.org/).
For online condolences please visit culpepperfuneralhome.com