Thomas Washington Phippen

Thomas Washington Phippen, 91, of Gravette, Ark., died Tuesday, July 31, 2012, at Circle of Life Legacy Village in Bentonville, Ark. He was born on March 2, 1921, in Audubon County, Iowa, to Thomas Phippen and Dagmar Jensen Phippen. He was raised and educated in Exira, Iowa. He moved to Gravette, Ark., in 1974. After the death of his wife Violet in 2003, Tom married Lois Churchman Mann in 2004. He was a carpenter and builder in Bella Vista. He was a founding member and builder of the Northwest Arkansas Christian Center of Gravette (now the "Church on the Hill"). He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, George and Leonard; and sister, Florence. He is survived by his wife, Lois, of Gravette, Ark.; two sons, Gary and wife, Sherryl, of Erie, Colo., Dennis and wife, Connie, of Aurora, Colo.; one sister, Evelyn May of Audubon, Iowa; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and six stepchildren. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by the Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, Ark. On-line condolence may be made at www.funeralmation.com.