James Lippert

James Michael Lippert (Peter)

February 3, 1961-August 11, 2023

Jim Lippert is best known for being a kind, loving man who charmed and befriended everyone. Easygoing and benevolent, Jim was warm to all he encountered. Jim was loving but he was even more lovable; so much so that his high school friends created the 450-person JLFC (Jim Lippert Fan Club). And they continued to celebrate him at class reunions.

Jim Lippert was a 1979 graduate of Wyoming High School and a very proud 1983 graduate (Communication and Economics) of the University of Michigan (Go Blue).  He attended on an ROTC full ride scholarship. In addition to his academic degrees, Jim reveled in placing 39th in the national spelling bee in 8th grade.

Jim served 7.5 years as an Army officer in the field artillery. He received an honorable discharge and was awarded the meritorious service medal and an Army commendation medal. He was a Battery Commander and traveled to Ft Sill (twice), Germany, and Fort Knox during his service. Serving his country was an honor for Jim.

Since 1990, Jim spent his career in sales in his family’s 116-year-old business, Hamilton Caster, of which he was very proud. He enjoyed sharing his work and products with all who would listen. He served as Vice President of Sales and loved working with his family and colleagues who felt like family. Jim particularly loved working with his father, uncles, two brothers, two sons, nephew, and cousin. 

Jim was a man of faith, so much so that he was active in two churches in Wyoming. A lifelong member of St James of the Valley, he enjoyed serving as a reader, lector, and eucharistic minister. Jim also loved singing in the choir at Friendship United Methodist Church, where he was known for his (booming) bass vocals.

Jim lived in Wyoming for much of his life and loved it. He led as a volunteer in the community, serving on the Wyoming Booster board for numerous years, and coaching his three sons’ baseball and basketball teams. And in 2003, he was honored as Wyoming Citizen of the Year for his leadership, which led him to then emcee the Citizen of the Year event for more than a decade. Wherever Jim served, he led and he did so humbly and kindly.

Jim was an avid sports fan of the University of Michigan, the Cincinnati Bengals, the Cincinnati Reds, tennis, golf, putt-putt–anything with a ball. Jim’s love for athletics was contagious and he attended everything with others, building relationships while cheering for his favorite teams. 

Jim’s longest and most cherished roles were those he played in his family. Jim married his high school sweetheart, Carrie Short-Lippert (aka “Liebchen”) and they recently celebrated 40 years together. Jim and Carrie raised four remarkable children--Christopher (Tarra) Lippert, John (Kelly) Lippert, Patrick (Ashley) Lippert, and Marie Lippert (and fiancé Keegan Hodge). Jim was an active, engaged, and loving parent, always setting a positive example based on his values and his deep sense of love for them and Carrie. However, Jim especially flourished as a proud and enthusiastic grandfather (“Papa Bear”) to five perfect grandchildren—Brynn, Larkin, Luke, Esther, and Scott. Carrie and Jim have hosted Sunday Night Dinners with more than twenty family members for years–opening their table and lives to their family and others (at which they often prayed for Joe Burrow).

Jim was the loving son of Mary and Bob Lippert, Brother to Dave (Teresa) Lippert, Steve (Joan) Lippert, Debbie Bellman, Jennie (Tom) Ruehlmann, Mike (Molly) Lippert. He was a sweet, caring uncle to Jamie (Ashley), Nicholas, and Christian Bellman; Kristi (Glen) Burke and Katie Lippert; Bobby (Michelle), Michael (Kate), Scott (Michelle), Kristen and Karli Lippert, Kimberly (Mike Nelson), Brian (Amy), and David Ruehlmann; Cady and Hope Tageson; Alex, Skye and Seth Thompson. And Jim loved all of his in-laws, cousins, aunts, and uncles, enjoying annual traditions with all of them over the years.

Jim is preceded in death by his father Bob Lippert, brother-in-law Mike Bellman, and his niece, Elizabeth Kay (“Libby”) Thompson.

A visitation will be held at 5 pm on Friday, August 18 at Friendship United Methodist Church in Wyoming, a celebration of his life at 7 pm on Friday, August 18, also at FUMC (Jim Lippert fan wear appropriate). The Celebration service will be streamed and recorded for those who cannot attend in-person. A full requiem mass service will be held at St James of the Valley Catholic Church in Wyoming at 11 am on Saturday, August 19, 2023.In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St James of the Valley Catholic Church in Wyoming in his memory.