Robert Wayne Nipper

Robert Wayne Nipper, 65, of Longview, Texas, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 4th, 2012. Mr. Nipper had battled a number of medical issues associated with his initial treatment of prostate cancer over the past 17 years. He spent his final days at Good Shepherd Medical Center surrounded by family and close friends. Funeral services will be held at 1 PM, Saturday, July 7, 2012, at East Mountain Baptist Church in East Mountain with Bro. Jay Shepherd and Bro. Dick Lindsey officiating. Interment will follow at Rosewood Park Cemetery under the direction of Rader Funeral Home of Longview. The family will greet friends at the funeral home on Friday, July 6, 2012, from 5 to 8 PM. Mr. Nipper was born on November 6, 1946, in Gilmer, Texas, to Johnnie Alex and Mattie Jo Nipper Watkins and had been a resident of Longview since 1965. He graduated from Como-Pickton High School in 1965 and worked for Delta Distributors where he served as the Operations Manager during his 30+ year career. In honor of his service to Delta, an award was created after his retirement called the Robert Nipper Employee of the Year award. Mr. Nipper married his loving wife Denise on May 19, 1990, in Longview, Texas, and enjoyed traveling to historic, scenic, and entertainment sites around the country. He greatly enjoyed being with family and especially spoiling his grandchildren. He liked hunting, fishing, and loved the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers. He developed a love for golf later in life and played whenever possible. He was preceded in death by his father, Johnnie Alex Nipper, his mother, Mattie Jo Nipper Watkins, his step-father Ivan "Big Boy" Watkins, his brothers, Hilton Nipper, Leon Nipper, Jerry Nipper, and Milton Nipper. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Denise, his brother Charlie Nipper and wife Glenda Gilmer, his sister Gwen Posey and husband Bob Bogata, his sister Pam Graham and husband Zikie Spring Hill, his children: Stuart Nipper and wife Stacey White Oak, Robin Hicks and husband Jake Union Grove, Gary Peek and wife Cindy Frisco, Kim Peek Smith and husband Johnny Mansfield, and James Peek and wife Michelle Keller, grandchildren: Ashley and Riley Nipper and Alexa, Alyia, and Alysa Hall White Oak, Meredith Hicks Union Grove, Jordan and Faith Smith Mansfield, Hayden, Bethany, Colin, Mallory, and Eryn Peek Frisco. Pallbearers include: Shane Jackson Gilmer, Billy Wilson Longview, Mike McGarity Dayton, Johnny Smith Mansfield, Matthew Graham Spring Hill, and Denny Larrison White Oak. Honorary pallbearers are John Dalton Longview and Bill Buehrle Longview. The family would like to thank Dr. Sloan, Dr. Yu, Dr. Henry, Dr. Shakamuri, and the staff and nurses on the heart floor and the SICU at Good Shepherd Medical Center for their loving support and compassion for Robert, Denise, and family.

Robert Wayne Nipper

November 6, 1946 - July 4, 2012