Thomas E. Kipp, 92, of Olathe, Kansas passed away the 7th of June 2019 at Aberdeen Village. Funeral Services will be held on Friday June 14th at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Raytown, MO with an 11:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial and 12:00 PM burial at Floral Hills Cemetery. Friends may call at Our Lady of Lourdes Church from 9:30 to 10:30 AM with a rosary from 10:30 to 11:00 AM. Memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities of Kansas City Missouri.
Mr. Kipp was born September 17, 1926 in Piqua, Kansas to Charles, and Ida (Konen) Kipp, and spent his childhood working on the family farm while attending the Catholic grade school across the road.Years later, his children would share memories of visiting and working on the farm during summer vacations. Tom attended Christian Brothers High School in St. Joseph, Missouri while living with a cousin and family, and proceeded to Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education. In later years he continued a lifelong passion for learning and graduated with a Master’s Degree in Administration from the University of Missouri - Kansas City.
Thomas began teaching in 1949 at Hogan High School where he met his life partner and spouse Eloise Rentchler a fellow teacher. In 1954 he moved to the Kansas City Missouri School District where he taught at Central Junior High School and Southwest High School. He was a basketball coach while teaching human science and later became the Vice-Principal and eventually the Principal of Southwest High school in its glory days. Later positions in the district included Vice-Principal positions at East High School and Southeast Middle School. As a life-long educator, coach, and father “Coach Kipp” to many, impacted the lives of thousands of young people. Tom kept in touch with so many of his Southwest students. It was nearly impossible to go out in Kansas City without someone recognizing Mr. Kipp! Thomas was a person of integrity and earned the respect of all he influenced with his quiet demeanor and commanding presence.
Tom and Eloise were married June 20, 1951 in Eloise’s hometown of Clinton, Mo. The Kipp family has been fortunate enough to celebrate Tom and Eloise’s 50th, 60th, and 65th anniversaries. The Kipp celebrations were always full of love and laughter from their wide circle of life-long friends. As a family, we have all been blessed by seeing a beautiful example of love, marriage, and family.
Tom’s influence went beyond the classroom. He and Eloise were active members of the Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Kansas City and later Annuciation in Baldwin City, KS. Tom was also one of the longest running members of the Knights of Columbus in the Kansas City area, joining at age 18 and staying active all his adult life.
He is preceded in death by his parents Charles P. Kipp and Ida S. Kipp, as well as father-in-law, and mother-in-law Ernest and Ellen Rentchler. Also deceased are his brothers-in-law Bruce Roach (Ann) and Richard Riddle (Donna), and sister-in-law Ellen Scalet (Jim).
Thomas is survived by his lovely wife of 67 years, Eloise E. Kipp of Olathe. His children Stephen E. Kipp and wife Patty, Jeffery C. Kipp and wife Lisa and Melinda E. Dechant and husband Richard. Grandchildren; Dylan, Perry and Cole (Stephen) Casey and Taylor (Jeffrey) and Cody and Aubrey (Melinda). Other surviving family members include sister Donna Riddle of Wichita, Kansas and brother Fred and wife Lorraine Kipp of Overland Park, KS, sister-in-law Ann Roach of Overland Park, Kansas and brother-in-law Jim Scalet of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Please forward condolence cards to Aberdeen Village for Eloise Kipp, Aberdeen Village Skilled Nursing Attn: Eloise Kipp 17520 W. 119th Street Room 24 Olathe, KS 66061
Larry Magariel
In the early 50's, Tom and Eloise lived in my grandparents home in an upstairs apartment on Montgall. When I arrived at Southwest as a teen, he was my health teacher, and recruited me to keep stats for 2 years, then become a basketball manager as a senior. It was a wonderful time. In 1972, the Kipp' s attended our wedding. I will always have a place in my heart for this wonderful family.Hugh Gilliland
Many of you will recall that I was a knucklehead in high school and as such, most of my interaction with Tom Kipp was on a disciplinary basis. That being said, we got along fine and I remeber him as a very reasonable yet firm administrator.
Dennis Bowman
In 1977, when Coach had made it to the Principal's Office, I was back in KC, visiting family. I heard he was the Principal and...I just showed up at the school, unannounced. I asked if I could see him for a quick visit. The Secretary wasn't very encouraging with no appointment made, but he waved me right in and we had a good chat. Things were changing in the Kansas City, Missouri schools...and not for the better. Coach was glad to take a few minutes and talk about the good old days of Southwest High. I always had high respect and regard for Tom Kipp. Rest in peace.