James "Jim" Thomas Whipp

James “Jim” Thomas Whipp, 89, of Tucson died December 16, 2023, at Starfish Midtown-B Care Home of chronic pain from spinal stenosis and infections from pressure sores. Jim had lived a full and independent life until September 10th, 2023. He was born September 7, 1934, in Eaton, Ohio, the son of Robert Dayton Whipp and Ruth Agnes Whitacre Whipp Riggle.

Jim married Lois Ann Morrow on September 21, 1963, and they were married almost 56 years, until her death April 19, 2019. They lived their lives together in Alhambra, California until moving to Tucson in 2002. Jim and Lois had two children: Robert Arthur Whipp (died at the age of 50 in 2018 in Tucson) and Cheryl Diane Whipp Tenold, of Stevensville, Montana. He is also survived by his grandson, James Alexander Whipp, of Tucson, nieces Vicki Sheehan, Marji Arce, and Lori Wheatley of Utah, and Denise Grimm of Ohio, as well as a number of great nieces and nephews.


Like his father, mother, sister, brother-in-law, and niece, Jim graduated with a Bachelor Degree from Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio. He was a member of the Jonda fraternity Eta Phi Mu.

Once a Marine, always a Marine. He went to OCS at Quantico, VA for a commission and training. He completed three years of active duty at Camp Pendleton, California and continued in the reserves in the Los Angeles area for the next 20 years, retiring from the Marine Corps as a Major in 1977. He is a member of the Marine Corps League as well as MOAA in Tucson.

Jim was a lifelong Scout. He joined Boy Scouts when he was a kid, disappointed to have only achieved Star Scout, but continued in leadership positions from 1964 until September of 2023. He received the Order of the Arrow Vigil Honor, the San Gabriel Valley Council Silver Beaver Award, District Award of Merit, Distinguished Commissioner Service Award, Scouter Training Award, and the Scouter Key Award, as well as an Eagle Mentor pin from his grandson James.

Jim spent the majority of his career as a credit / collection manager for various companies. The main companies that he worked for were Texaco and Forniciari Co. in Southern California.

In addition to his regular, full-time job, he sold tickets and supervised ticket sellers for USC football games at the LA Coliseum for 30 years. He also ushered and supervised ushers for Raider games. These two experiences gave him the opportunity to supervise the ticket takers at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, work game management for Rose Bowl games, men’s and women’s World Cup soccer matches and many other concerts and events at the LA Sports Arena, Rose Bowl and Coliseum.

Jim and Lois resided in Alhambra, California after meeting and getting married at Lake Avenue Congregational Church in Pasadena. They retired to Tucson, Arizona in 2002 to help care for their only grandson, James Whipp, who has Cystic Fibrosis. While in Tucson, they regularly attended Christ Community Church.

While in Tucson, Jim served on the Desert Oasis Home Owners Association board from 2002 until his death. He was one of the first home owners in the subdivision and the first to serve on the board.

The turning point in his life was created by the lack of care at Sabino Canyon Rehab which led to his speedy decline. The heartfelt thanks of Cheryl and James goes to the professional, compassionate, and caring staff at Starfish Midtown-B Care Home and Grace Hospice where he finally received the care that was needed, although the damage had already been done.

The funeral service will be held at Christ Community Church, 530 S. Pantano Rd., Tucson, on
Thursday, December 21st, 2023, at 11:00am, with open casket viewing beginning at 10:00 am. The graveside service will be on Tuesday, December 26th, 2023, at 1:00 pm at Rose Hills Cemetery, 3888 Workman Mill Rd., Whittier, California.

Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to Scouts BSA (Boy Scouts) or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

It was a life well lived.