Lester William Canipe, age 72 of 115 Sunny Lane,
bravely and peacefully went to be with the Lord at his home in the
presence of his family and loved ones, January 13, 2009. He was born
February 13, 1936 in Lincoln County, the son of the late Wilburn and
Lucille Christopher Canipe. He graduated from Union School in 1955 and
spent the next 20 years and 29 days proudly serving his country in the
United States Air Force as an organizational supply specialist. He
achieved the rank of Tech Sergeant while being stationed in the United
States, Greenland, Germany, France, England and Thailand before finally
retiring while stationed at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. In 1964,
while still serving in the Air Force he met and married his loving wife
of 44 years, Sarah Gail Crocker of Cherryville. After retirement he
moved to Cherryville, NC and went to work for the N.C. Department of
Corrections in Dallas, N.C, during this time he attended Cleveland
Community College where he received an Associate Degree in Police
Science. Les also spent over 40 years as a sports official refereeing
and umpiring youth, junior high, senior high, industrial , and church
sports leagues including fast pitch softball, baseball, basketball,
softball and volleyball. As an official he was a member of the USSSA
and the Piedmont Officials Association. In 2007 he was honored along
with his long time officiating partner and friend Leroy Roberts and
presented the Lifetime Distinguished Service Award by the N.C. Athletic
Officials Association. He enjoyed doing yard work, traveling with his
wife and friends, playing golf with the Roberts Senior Tour group,
meeting with the McDonald’s coffee club, and spending time with his
grandchildren. He was an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in
Cherryville where he served as Chairman of Ushers. He was also a member
of the Men’s Bible Class, Lutheran Men in Mission and was a former
Sunday School Superintendent and member of the Church Council. Les was
a friend to everyone and was always quick with a joke and a pat on the
back. He touched everyone that he met and will be missed and fondly
remembered by all.
He is survived by his wife Gail Crocker Canipe, two sons, Douglas
William Canipe and wife Kelly of Lowell and Jeffry Paul Canipe and wife
Carla of Cherryville, His pride and joy two Grandsons, Hunter Canipe
and Nickolas Canipe, Brothers, Sam Canipe of Hickory, Harold Canipe of
Crouse and Jerry Canipe of Lincolnton, Sisters, Iva Goins of
Lincolnton, Clara Cloninger of Lincolnton, Mildred Scronce of Vale and
Wilma Sain of Vale, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be conducted at 1:00 PM on Saturday, January
17, 2009 at St. John’s Lutheran Church with Rev. Ron Fink officiating.
Burial with full military honors by the U.S. Air Force will follow the
service in City Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends
Friday, January 16, from 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. at Carpenter’s Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 310 W. Church
Street, Cherryville, N.C. 28021 or Hospice of Gaston County, P.O. Box
3984, Gastonia, N.C. 28054.
Condolences to www.carpentersfuneralhome.net
