Christopher Richard (Chris) Canipe, 79, of Greensboro, passed away March 30, 2024, surrounded by his family. A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 18, at 11 a.m., at First Baptist Church Greensboro. A proud son of Yadkin County, Chris is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sandra Flynt Canipe; son and daughter-in-law, Lee Canipe and Hilary Leathers Canipe of Charlotte; daughter and son-in-law, Molly Canipe Lyle and Scott Lyle of Greensboro; and five grandchildren, Christopher Lyle of Boone, Helen Canipe of Waco, Texas, Julia Lyle of Cullowhee, Watt Canipe of Chapel Hill, and Peter Canipe of Charlotte.
Chris leaves behind his sister- and brothers-in-law, Penny Flynt King and Bob King of New Bern, and Steve Mullinix of Greensboro; nephew and nieces, Joseph Canipe of Bloomington-Normal, Ill., Carey King and Sammy Politziner of New York City, and Claire King Parrish and Drew Parrish of Winston-Salem, as well as their children, Chance Canipe, Blythe Parrish, Emery Parrish, and Kye King-Politziner.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother and sister-in-law, Stephen Canipe and sister-in-law Margie Varner Canipe of Boone, and most recently by his sister-in-law, Connie Flynt Mullinix, of Greensboro.
Born October 6, 1944, to the late Thomas Alonzo Canipe and Ruby Bray Canipe of Elkin, Chris grew up helping with chores on his grandparents’ farm on Center Road and sitting on the front porch, listening in while the family told jokes and swapped stories. He was an active Boy Scout and attended Jonesville High School, where he played football, basketball and baseball, and ran track, with Bluejay pride.
Chris attended Appalachian State University, where he was active in the Baptist Student Union (BSU) and elected president of the statewide BSU in 1966. While campaigning, he met Sandra Flynt of Winston-Salem, and she later agreed to marry him. The wedding took place in 1967, one week after graduation.
Working first as a history and physical education teacher at Apex High School, where he also coached basketball, Chris later returned to academic life at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned a master’s degree in counseling. He then guided and mentored students for the next three decades in the Greensboro City and Guilford County school systems, largely at Ben L. Smith High School. He especially loved welcoming new English as a Second Language (ESL) students from Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, and help them understand American culture.
While in college, Chris joined the National Guard and served proudly for 29 years, retiring in 1994 as a Lieutenant Colonel. At home, he was an active member of First Baptist Church Greensboro, where for more than half a century he filled the roles of deacon, Sunday School teacher, and unofficial greeter of all who entered the church doors.
Chris was the master of shooting the breeze -- using conversation to put others at ease, and making those who knew him feel heard and valued. He enjoyed drinking coffee, playing golf and tennis, telling jokes, hearing others’ stories, and telling a few tales himself (especially about Yadkin County). He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren, who called him "Pa."
Hanes Lineberry Elm Street is serving the family. The Canipe family wishes to thank the staff at Friends Home Guilford in the Whittier Center and the AuthoraCare Collective staff for the care, support, and kindness shown to Chris and his family. They ask that memorial contributions be made in Chris' memory to the Canipe-Bray Scholarship at Appalachian State University at givenow.appstate.edu or ASU Box 32104, Boone, NC 28608.
Hanes Lineberry North Elm Chapel is assisting the Canipe family with arrangements. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com
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