Harold Delano Flippo, 80, peacefully died Thursday, March 24, at his home in Lakeside Highlands.
A retired die maker for Ford Motor Company in Sheffield, he became Papa to his eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren after being a father to four girls and one boy.
He was one of eight children of the late Claude N. and Esther McAfee Flippo.
He was born in Lauderdale County on May 18, 1935. Although he traveled quite a bit, he often said he preferred to sleep in his own bed and was proud to call the Shoals home.
His family and extended family along with many local friends often sought Papa’s counsel on the challenges of their lives. Often he would remain quiet, telling the inquirer that his opinion did not matter because the solution had to come from someone else. However, if Papa felt it appropriate to respond, he would share his special form of Alabama wit and wisdom that would stop trouble in its tracks or set a person on the right track to clear tall hurdles. He was appreciated for the advice he gave and sometimes more so for the advice he didn’t give.
Papa was also known to tell a tall tale or two. One involved swimming across the slough to get to school with his brother on his back. He claimed the hard part was holding his sack lunch in his teeth. Actually he and his brother went to school early to start five coal fires and later in the morning caught the school bus from their jobs at local grocery stores.
Harold loved westerns and told his children that he had timed himself and could outdraw Matt Dillon. Despite the doubters, he continued by saying he had practiced in a mirror and could outdraw himself.
Harold was proud to belong to the Order of the Arrow in Boys Scouts. He was a life scout with 18 merit badges.
He was a member of the Weeden Heights United Methodist Church. He was a member of the United Auto Workers of America Local 255. He held a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of North Alabama.
Harold enjoyed fishing, golf, and Alabama football. One of his favorite things was watching the Braves play.
Survivors include his brothers, Ronnie G. Flippo and Charles E. Flippo, and his sisters, Marajuan Allen and Carolyn Perron.
He is survived by children, Sandy Newman, Tracye Starr (Rusty), Amy Montgomery (Bryan), and Doug Flippo (Tammy).
His grandchildren are Laura Newman, Brandon Starr, Liza Maxwell, Lane Montgomery, Amanda Staggs, Jessica Davis, Daniel Starr, and Jacob Flippo. His great-grandchildren are Jamie Newman, Alex Newman, and Annabelle Staggs.
Visitation will be 6-8 p.m tonight at Spry-Williams Funeral Home on Helton Drive in Florence. Services will be 3 p.m. Sunday at Weeden Heights United Methodist Church on North Orleans St. in Florence. Burial will follow at Tri-Cities Memorial Gardens.
