Ronald Sipe

Ronald D. Sipe, 79, of Richmond, Texas (formerly of Abilene, Texas), passed away on Sunday, November 30, surrounded by his family.

Ron was born on March 17, 1946, to Elbert Othell and Anne Lucille Sipe in Lubbock, Texas. He grew up in Hamlin, Texas, and later went on to attend Texas Tech University where he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture and became a life-long Red Raider fan. Upon graduation in 1969, he enlisted in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1971. After completing his service, Ron moved to Abilene to begin his nearly 45-year career as a licensed architect.

On May 25, 1974, Ron married the love of his life (and last blind date) Mary Lou Watts, a registered nurse from Redfield, Iowa. The couple went on to have two daughters, Kristen and Lindsey, raising them in Abilene in a home that Ron designed.

In 2010, Ron retired and enjoyed having more time to spend doing his favorite things – being with family, reading about history, listening to jazz, pruning trees, doing crossword puzzles and of course, watching Red Raider football. He was kind, funny and wise, but above all, he was a devoted family man who will forever be loved and missed.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Mary Lou, of Richmond, Texas; two daughters, Kristen Shoemate of Houston, Texas, and Lindsey Mikeska of Richmond, Texas; son-in-law Justin Shoemate of Houston; son-in-law Cody Mikeska of Richmond; four grandchildren, Abigail, Austin, Tate and Calvin; and beloved rescue dog Finnegan.

Services will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 837 Jeanette St. in Abilene on Thursday, December 11, at 11:30 a.m. with interment to follow at Texas Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Ron’s memory to the Sacred Heart Building Fund.