John Howard Phipps, 83, of Statesville, N.C., passed away Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at Iredell Memorial Hospital. John was born February 10, 1940, in Iredell County and was the son of the late John Glenn Phipps and Sue Brawley Phipps.

He was a graduate of Troutman High School and Mitchell College and received his B.A. at Appalachian State University. He also attended the University of Louisville, where he played football. He was very gifted in sports and played football, basketball, and baseball. For a number of years, he taught in the Salisbury school system and also had a TV and electronics repair shop at home. He later worked as an educator at Mitchell Community College, from where he retired. He grew up in Diamond Hill Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon. He loved to share and tell anyone about God’s salvation. He was currently a member of Mountain Road Baptist Church.

John was married to Kathleen Crawford Phipps, who survives. He is further survived by his son, Will Phipps, and his wife Pam of Fayetteville, N.C. His grandchildren are Alex Dempsey of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Ellie Combs of Cary, N.C.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Monday, February 12, 2024, at Mountain Road Baptist Church with Rev. Jamie Fox officiating. Family will visit with friends at the church on Monday from 1 until 2 p.m. Burial will follow in the Concord Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Statesville, N.C.

Memorials may be made to Mountain Road Baptist Church, 132 Compton Park Road, Statesville, NC 28677.

Troutman Funeral Home is serving the family.