Ronald D. Flippo

Memorial services for Ronald D. Flippo, age 65, of Belton will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday, July 26 at Miller Heights Baptist Church in Belton with Pastor Michael Meadows officiating. On July 18, 2011 Ronald "Ronnie" D. Flippo succumbed to a lengthy battle to complications of a heart transplant surgery at Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple. He married Barbara Shepard Pereira on October 10, 1992. Ronnie was born on March 1, 1946 at King's Daughters Hospital in Temple to Guy Howard and Rose Wood Flippo of Temple. He lived in the Bell County area all of his life. He graduated from Temple High School in 1964 during which time he played and sang in the Temple High School band and was a member of the Temple Highlighters. He attended Temple Junior College in 1965 and 1966 where he was a member of the Choirdaires. He later received his associate's degree. He joined the U. S. Navy in 1966 during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged in 1969. Ronnie joined the Temple Police Department in 1970 attaining the rank of Lieutenant, retiring in 1999. He had been a sharp shooter, member of the SWAT team, was over the Juvenile Division for several years and selected in 1976 for Outstanding Young Men of America Award. He was selected to and attended the FBI National Academy and held an Instructor Certification from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education. In 1985, he was honored with the Silver Badge Award along with many other accomplishments throughout his career. After retiring from Temple PD, he went to work for the Bell County Sheriff's Department as a Deputy Sheriff, retiring in 2011. In 2007, Ronnie received Officer of the Year from the Knights of Columbus Council #3444 and in 2008 he received Officer of the Year from the Elks Lodge #138 both in Temple. Ronnie was a member of Miller Heights Baptist Church where he and his wife are members of the choir and he was the pianist and keyboardist. He loved gospel music and could play the piano like no other. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a loving Christian, husband, father, brother and friend. Ronnie was a stranger to no one. He was preceded in death by his parents who were lifetime members of First Baptist Church of Temple. Survivors include his wife, Barbara Shepard Flippo and also former wife, Peggy Alsup and their children, William Todd Flippo, Christopher Bryan, Ronald Flippo, Jr., Lori Flippo Graves and husband, Shawn and stepchildren, Patricia Pereira Trueblood and Randall Pereira and wife, Chasity, ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters, Karen Horner and husband, Don and Cheryl Ham and husband, Jim. Special thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Paul Luna and Mr. and Mrs. Benji Neilsen for your friendship and endless devotion to our dad, and for the comfort and support you both have given to our family. Honorary pallbearers are Cecil Cosper, James Roper, Perry Moose, Rene De La Rosa, Robert Pettigrew, Darryle Staton, Terry Smith, Frankie Martinez and Lt. David Potts. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Miller Heights Baptist Church (Building Fund), Belton or to the Good Samaritans Purse at Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple.