Thomas Richard Lipscomb

Thomas Richard Lipscomb passed away peacefully on January 10. He was born on September 5, 1928 in Pecos County, Texas, to Richard Lipscomb and Nedra Shaffer Lipscomb. His early years were spent in Ballinger, Sanderson and San Angelo. After high school, Tom served in the United States Army, and then graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Civil Engineering, as a member of the Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society. He began a long and successful career in engineering with Phillips Petroleum in Cactus, Texas, spent many happy years working for Diamond Shamrock, and retired from Occidental Chemical Corporation after serving for many years as plant manager of the Deer Park works. Even after retirement, Tom was active for the company in governmental relations, working with the Texas Chemical Council and other organizations, served on the board of Ref-Chem, and spent several happy years managing the Farias Ranch in South Texas. Tom was a keen, intellect and liberal thinker; he loved good books, especially relating to American history; and lively music, especially Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. He enjoyed deep sea fishing in his Robalo, bird and deer hunting trips with plenty of gin rummy, Astros baseball, Oilers football, as well as the fortunes and failures of the Texas Longhorns. In later years, he delighted in innumerable rounds of golf and wonderful golf trips with his wife of almost 50 years, Melba Rollins Lipscomb, and his beloved Bay Oaks Old Boys.

Tom’s wife Melba predeceased him in 2003. He is survived by three children Barbara Lipscomb of Austin, Jim (and Robin) Lipscomb of Lake Jackson, and Richard Lipscomb of Houston; grandchildren Nick Lipscomb and Katelyn Lipscomb; and sister Ruby Quanz of Decatur.

Visitation will be at Forest Park East Funeral Home, 21620 Gulf Freeway, Webster, TX 77598, beginning at 10:30 AM on Saturday, January 17, with services to follow at 12:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Hospice Austin www.hospiceaustin.org, Family Eldercare www.familyeldercare.org, or The Bridge www.tbot.org.