Obituary of Thomas Lee Lippert

Lippert, Thomas “Tom”, 66, passed peacefully at his home on June 7, 2018. He is survived by his wife Gayl ; brother Charles of Roeland Park, KS; son Eric Johnson (Jennifer) of Austin, TX and grandchildren Isabel, Isaiah, Grace and Carolyn; daughter Anna Clelland (Ryan) of Seminole, FL and grandchildren Ellie, Andrew and Ethan; son Kyle Johnson (Trina) of Sagle, ID, and grandchildren Hannah, Harvey and Raye. Tom graduated from Burlington High School in Burlington, IA in 1970. He received his BME at Westmar College, LeMars, IA, and his MA and all coursework toward PhD at the University of Iowa. He taught choral music for thirty-two years, serving three Iowa high schools and Mt. Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, IA. In 1997, he began teaching and conducting choral music at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith where he remained for ten years. Tom directed music activities part-time at numerous churches throughout his career, and in 2007 he was called to become full-time Director of Music and the Arts at First Presbyterian Church, St. Petersburg, FL, where he retired in 2015. He accepted a part-time position at South Shore United Church of Christ in Sun City Center, FL as Director of Music and Associate Minister. Tom was inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. He conducted various community choruses throughout his career and several of his groups performed at Carnegie Hall in NYC. He served on the Foster Care Review Board in Iowa for many years. He was a sports enthusiast, a MLB fanatic, and an avid reader. Tom was a faithful servant of God, loving husband and devoted father and grandfather. He positively touched many lives and will be truly missed. A service to celebrate Tom’s life will be held at First Presbyterian Church 701 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 on Saturday, June 16^, 2018 at 11:00 am with a catered lunch to follow in the fellowship hall. Those wishing to visit the family may do so at Anderson McQueen Funeral Home 2201 Dr. ML King St. N. St. Petersburg, FL 33704 on Friday, June 15, 2018 from 6-8pm. Memorial contributions may be sent to Thomas Lippert Memorial, PO Box 76186, St. Petersburg 33734