Thomas Chipman

Thomas Albert Chipman, 91, of Little Rock, Ark., died peacefully July 7, 2012, surrounded by family in his home. Tom was born May 10, 1921, in Hill City, Kansas, to Albert C. and Olive Chipman. He was a WWII Army veteran serving under Gen. Patton's 95th Infantry, 3rd Division. He married his lovely wife of 66 years, whom he affectionately called "Tean," on Dec. 1, 1945. They have owned Chip's Barbecue since 1961. He had many faithful employees who love and respect him and who he considered his family.
He loved to play his Gibson mandolin while his family played and sang along. He lived for a good joke and played pranks every chance he got. He leaves a legacy of humor, musical and culinary creativity, strength and determination to his family.
He is survived by his wife, Ernestine "Tina" B. Chipman; siblings, Don Chipman, Teresa Kemp and Helen Protiva; children, Becky Chipman, Thomas A. (Kaye) Chipman, Jr., Kat (Chuck) Glisich, Linde (Mike) Halpain, Karla (Jim) Doyle and Kara (John) Barré; grandchildren, Kimberly (Greg) Thibodeaux McBride, John (Kiley) Lefler, Rachel (Casey) Hood, Aaron (Mandi) Halpain, Chris (Jenny) Halpain, Grant (Lindsey) Bowman, Matt (Anna) Doyle, Katie Doyle, Erik and Erin Chipman, Hayley and Lauren Chandler, Michael and Emily Barré; and great grandchildren, Brittany (Graylon) Comeaux, Lane Gaspard, Adam Hudson Lefler, Amelia and Jackson Halpain, Breeann Bowman and Caleb Bowman. He was preceded in death by his eldest grandson, Adam Thomas Lefler; brothers, Robert, Charles and Arnold Chipman; and niece, Carol Kemp Barnes.
The family would like to thank Tom's "angels" with Superior Home Care, Felicia and Toni, and his Arkansas Hospice team for their outstanding service and compassion.
Visitation is at 6 p.m. Monday, July 9 followed by Rosary at 7:00, at Christ the King Catholic Church. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Christ the King, followed by burial with Military Honors at Forest Hills Memorial Park. There will be a family gathering after the burial at CTK Family Life Center.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Arkansas Hospice, the American Heart Association and Arkansas Right to Life.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., Little Rock, (501)224-2200. Mr. Chipman's online guestbook may be found at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.