Ernest Richard Flippo

Ernest Richard Flippo was born in Tyler, Missouri, on March 2, 1942. He departed this life at St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro, Arkansas, on December 6, 2021, at the age of 79. He was the son of the late Ernest Flippo & Vina Payne Flippo.

Richard attended the R-3 schools and was a graduate of Cooter High School.

He enlisted in the United States Army in 1962 and received his Honorable Discharge in 1966. He also served his country in the U.S. Army Reserves.

On January 21, 1967, in Chicago, Illinois, he was united in marriage to Ona Lee Chapman.

He was a Tugboat Captain at Caruthersville Marine, Owner of Flippo’s Fleeting, and Tugboat Captain at Choctaw Marine.

Richard enjoyed playing cards with his family and also loved to whittle. He would whittle swords for B. J. and Hawk.

As the baby of the family and only boy, he was loved and spoiled by all. He also picked cotton with his sisters.

He is survived by three children: Sherry Lynn Swims (Tommy) of Wardell, Missouri, Ernest Richard Flippo, Jr. (Anna) of Kennett, Missouri, and Thomas Grant Flippo (Audra) of Cooter, Missouri; nine grandchildren: Brandon John Flippo (Brittney) of Braggadocio, Missouri, Dalton James Rinehart of Wardell, Missouri, Meagen Nicole Rinehart of Blytheville, Arkansas, Alora Grace Hall (Woody) of Kennett, Missouri, Austin Redman McCaig (Breanca) of Kennett, Missouri, Michael Richard Flippo of Caruthersville, Missouri, Jace Walker Flippo, Kate Addyson Flippo, & Renn Merideth Flippo, all of Cooter, Missouri; one great grandchild: Ella Layne Flippo of Braggadocio, Missouri; and a number of other relatives and many, many friends.

Funeral services were held Friday Dec. 10th, 2021, in the H.S. Smith Chapel with Rev. James McCullough officiating.  Interment in Maple Cemetery in Caruthersville, Missouri. 

H. S. Smith Funeral Home in charge of services.