“Educated from the cotton fields of Missouri, and Arkansas, to the orchards and strawberry patches of Michigan. Went to school to get out of work, meet friends and cause trouble. I was good at all 3.
At 17 my rich uncle, Sam decided to further my education by sending me to Germany for 2 1⁄2 years to teach me to be a man, a soldier, and a truck driver. I didn’t fare too well with the first two.
When I got out of the army, my high school sweetheart was in Marion, In. The question wasn’t, were was I going, but what was the quickest way to get there? In 3 months, she had me roped, tied, and put her brand on the third finger of my left hand.
For the next 18 years, I worked at a lot of different factories, dry-cleaners, vault co., construction co., paving co. even a short stretch of digging ditches. Some I quit, others I got fired from. Sometimes with justification.
At 39, I was unemployed and desperate. A man in Marion was trying to start a trucking co. We had mutual friends. They convinced him he would be better off hiring me and teaching me to drive than hiring an unknown driver off the street.
Now driving is my passion. Anything that goes from point A to point B I’m interested in. Be it motorcycle, car or equipment big or small. And here was a man willing to pay me to do what I loved. I don’t have the words to describe the excitement and joy I felt. Here I am about to become a Professional Tourist. I once heard a combat soldier say, “War is Minutes, days and sometimes months of boredom spiced with instances of agonizing terror.” It took me almost a year to wear the new off this job and then I realized what he said could also apply to truck driving. The terror dulled the joy, but it didn’t eliminate it. I still love to drive. And from the boredom came songs and poems. I used these to combat the boredom. And they have helped me get through many hundreds of thousand miles.”
-Introduction from, My Book by Thomas Chipman
Surrounded by loved ones on Monday, May 1, 2023 Thomas “Chatterin’ Chipmunk” Chipman, went to be with his loving wife, Sarah Chipman who preceded him in death. He was born January 22, 1943 in Shepherdsville, Kentucky to William and Virgie Chipman, they preceded him in death. He served in the US Army from 1959-1963. He married Sarah (Johns) Chipman on February 22, 1964. He retired from Jet Express in 2018 after 35+ years of service. He was a published poet and author. He enjoyed reading Louis L’Amour, watching westerns, fishing, canoeing, riding his motorcycles, and helping anyone with any project. He loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include Laura “Stinker” (Norberto) Chipman, New York City, Tommy Chipman, Shelbyville, Tammy (Charlie) Dooley, Gas City, Pamela “Snoop” (Carlos) Felix, Columbia City, William Aaron “Dude” Chipman, Jonesboro, Renee (Tom) Burke, Jonesboro; 15 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren. He has more BFFs than most teenage girls, and we will get in trouble if we miss one.
He is preceded in death by sisters, Betty McCurther, Becky Chipman; brothers, Billy Chipman, Danny Chipman; and great-granddaughters, Cayleigh Royal and Addison Dooley.
The family will receive visitors from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral & Cremation Service, Storey Chapel 400 E. Main St., Gas City, IN
A service to celebrate Thomas’ life will be held at 9:30 am on Friday, May 5, 2023 at the funeral home. Pastor Denton Howard will be officiating with burial following at Marion National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to American Legion 233, c/o Camp Atterbury Wounded Hero Hunt, 500 Memorial Drive, Edinburgh, IN 46124.
Memories may be shared online at www.nswcares.com.
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