Robert "Bobby" E. Cripps

Bobby or Bob, as he was referred to by many friends, was born to the late Robert "Bob" E. Cripps, Sr. and the late Gloria Lois Blain Cripps in Dearborn, Michigan. His family moved to South Carolina in 1963 to start a trucking company where they all became avid Gamecock fans. The family moved to White Rock to be on Lake Murray in the late 1960s. He graduated A.C. Flora High School in Columbia in 1969. He met Judy Coleman while working as a truck driver at Palmetto Container. They were married in 1971 and had two children, Stacy and Robert E. “Skip” Cripps, III. Bobby and Judy divorced after 20 years of marriage, but always remained friends. It was during their marriage that Bobby became a Mason at Boyleston Lodge, Ballentine, and a Shriner at Jamil Temple, Columbia.

Bobby owned and operated Kwik Way Stores in White Rock (also known as White Rock Self Service in the early days), Irmo, Lexington and West Columbia until he retired in December 2014. His brother, Tim worked by his side from the beginning of the business. His son, Skip, joined them shortly after graduating high school. Skip and Tim have carried on the family business since Bobby’s retirement. Also, Bobby owned Dockside Restaurant on Lake Murray from 1989 to 1994.

Bobby worked hard and played hard. In his free time, he loved riding on one of the many boats he had over the years on Lake Murray, even taking one boat to the Bahamas with friends, Scott Marter and the late Bobby Jennings. Bobby enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson with his brother, Tim and buddies, Bob Brandi, Gary Brandi, Randy Rudd and Jeff Hester through many of the back roads of South Carolina and North Carolina. One of their best adventures was their ride to the Florida Keys. So many stories to so many adventures with so many friends, too many to put here, but you knew you were in great company when you were there.

When Bobby retired, he purchased a second home in The Villages, Florida, where he played golf with friends, but it just wasn’t the same as home in South Carolina. So he returned to Irmo to play on Lake Murray.

Bobby is survived by his daughter, Stacy (Phillip) Johnson; son, Robert E. “Skip” Cripps, III; brother, Tim (Cindy) Cripps; granddaughters, Katelyn, Ashley, and Sydney Cripps and Sunnie Seay; nieces, Courtney Cripps and Anna (Chris) Mills, Debbie (Bill) Roberts; nephew, Jerry (Allison) Snelling and wonderful girlfriend, Rebecca Farrow who was by his side continuously throughout his illness. Bobby was predeceased by his parents, Bob and Gloria Cripps and brother, Gerald "Jerry" Cripps.

Bobby will be sorely missed by all that had the privilege of knowing and loving him. The family is honoring his request of no funeral. It just wasn’t his style. Instead, the family will have a special gathering for all to share memories and stories of, as he put it “my wonderful life”. The Celebration of the Life of Bobby Cripps will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 2:00 pm at The Hall at Senate’s End, 320 Senate Street, Columbia, SC.

The family requests in lieu of flowers donations to be made in his memory to Shriners Children’s Hospital – Greenville, 950 W. Faris Road, Greenville, SC, www.shrinerschildrens.org/greenville/en/locations/greenville or to the charity of one’s choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.caughmanlexington.com for the Cripps family.