Dennis Eugene Lipford

Dennis Eugene Lipford, age 84, of Saraland, Alabama passed away on Monday, June 5, 2023. Dennis was born on September 22, 1938 in Chester, South Carolina. At the age of seventeen, he joined the United States Army where he served as an engineer, military policeman, and air traffic controller among other roles. His service included two tours in Korea and a tour in Vietnam. He retired from the army at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Dennis moved to Mobile, Alabama where he worked in the offshore oil fields. He later pursued a career with the Civil Service, returning to Fort Rucker. He married Phyllis McDonald Lipford in March, 1989 and moved to Saraland where he lived until his death. Dennis spent many years refereeing various sports in the Fort Rucker area. He was an expert craftsman, teaching himself carpentry, electrical work, plumbing among other skills. He was always willing to share his talents with his family and friends. In his retirement, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, making furniture and cabinets, bird watching and spending time with his wife Phyllis. He was a regular at the Saraland Waffle House for many years often treating the workers with one of his famous homemade banana puddings. Dennis is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Phyllis; by his children, Cheri Lipford Spuhl of Huntsville, Alabama, Dennis Eugene Lipford, Jr. (Kelly) of Birmingham, Alabama, his step-daughter, Rebecca Irene Kilpatrick of Creola, Alabama; his grandchildren, Matthew Brian Sapp of Daleville, Alabama, Tara Sapp Batten (Justin) of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, Samuel Robert Mark Spuhl and John David Miles Spuhl of Huntsville, Alabama; Jacob Sanders Lipford, Allison Brown Lipford, and Katherine Miles Lipford of Birmingham, Alabama; adopted grandson, Gunnar Lane Lewis of Thomasville, Alabama; great grandson, Colton Brock Batten of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee; sister, Gloria Lipford Happel of Mt. Airy, Maryland. He was preceded in death by his brother, Charles William (Bill) Lipford of Baltimore, Maryland. Visitation will be held at Radney Funeral Home in Saraland on Monday, June 12, 2023 from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. with a funeral service immediately following. A private burial will take place at the Alabama State Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Spanish Fort, Alabama. The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the American Heart Association.