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Thomas Marshall Sipes, 66, of Harrisonburg, died Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010, at Rockingham Memorial Hospital from respiratory failure with complications of pneumonia. Tom was born Aug. 24, 1943, in Harrisonburg, and was the son of the late Jesse and Elizabeth Sipes.
He was a graduate of Harrisonburg High School in 1961 and went on to attend George Mason University. Tom owned and operated the Gracious Lady Styling Salon in downtown Harrisonburg for 20 years. He worked at Hershey Chocolate until his retirement in 2004.
On July 24, 1965, he married Susan Johnson Sipes, who survives. Tom had many passions in life. When his family was young, they spent many wonderful weekends camping at Natural Chimneys with their friends, the Stouts and the Downins. He also enjoyed skiing and his daughters' horseback riding and showing. Later, he and Sue loved traveling to many overseas countries, with his favorite country being Morocco. However, his greatest passion, aside from his family, was his love for the ocean and beach. He spent as much time as possible at their beach house in St. Petersburg, Fla. When there, he loved shopping at the Florida flea markets for antiques and collectables. Their beach house was full of his "treasures."
Along with his wife, surviving members of his family include two daughters, Rebecca Sipes of Chapel Hill, N.C., and Angela Sipes of New Market, Md.; a sister-in-law, Nancy Sipes, of Harrisonburg; and brother and sister-in-law, Lynne and Perlie Simmons, and their children and grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010, at 3:30 p.m. at the Kyger Funeral Home Chapel in Harrisonburg with Pastor Wayne Wright officiating. The family will enjoy a time of fellowship with friends following the service.
Memorial contributions may be made in Thomas' memory to the Harrisonburg Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1477, Harrisonburg, VA 22801, or to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, P.O. Box 937, Verona, VA 24482.
Online condolences may be sent to the Sipes family at www.kygers.com.
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