Wallace Wilson Lippy, Jr., 85, of Hampstead, Maryland, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, October 4, 2017 at Sinai Hospital after a short illness. Born January 24, 1932 in Hampstead, he was the son of the late Wallace Wilson Lippy, Sr. and Mary Ruth Shaffer Lippy. He was the beloved husband of Rosemary (Howard) Lippy, his wife of 63 years, and devoted father of two daughters, Heidi Lippy Sprinkle and Mary Lee Lippy.　
He was a member of the Class of 1949 at Hampstead School and attended the School of Agriculture at the University of Maryland College Park. He remained a huge fan of the Maryland Terrapins, especially the Men’s Basketball program. He also loved the Redskins and the Washington Nationals, when he wasn’t watching the Ravens and the Orioles. His favorite sport to watch on television was Collegiate Fast Pitch Softball, but he was kept busy on the sidelines year-round watching the many sports and activities of his grandchildren.
He was a lifelong farmer and still resided in the farmhouse where he and his four siblings were born. He and his brothers farmed together for 41 years, raising corn, soybeans, small grains and various vegetable crops over the years. Together they grew the family farming operation into one of the largest on the East Coast. He continued to farm for a dozen years after his retirement and then fully retired and leased the farm back to Lippy Brothers. He could still be seen walking the corn or checking the beans in seasons of planting or harvest.
In 1986, he and a group of farmer friends saw a need in the community. Farmers were struggling due to drought and economic hardships. They started Christian Farmers Outreach in 1987 as a way to share the hope of the Gospel with fellow farmers and their communities. Now CFO has outreaches in 49 states and 97 countries. The headquarters is still a small office on Mr. Lippy’s beloved farm. He felt the farm was a blessing to be shared and has hosted many gatherings there over the years, all honoring the Lord. The CFO ministry was his great life work and he devoted himself 100 percent to it. He often said he no longer farmed crops; he farmed souls for Jesus. In his final days he was still planning the next steps the CFO ministry would take under the new leadership he had mentored and established.
Mr. Lippy also served with the local chapter of Gideon’s International and spent several years as the region’s scripture coordinator. He even traveled to Japan as an invited guest of the Japanese Gideons, to assist them in establishing the distribution of scriptures.
One of Mr. Lippy’s other commitments was to the preservation of the rural areas of our state. All of his land was placed into Land Preservation and he helped spearhead much of the preservation seen in our county today. He served for years as president of the Carroll Soil Conservation District and remained an advocate of preservation until his death.
Over the years he spent countless hours serving in his local churches and on regional, state, and national political campaigns. He was also an avid traveler and loved to drive across the country to visit friends and see the beauty our great nation has to offer. He traveled all around the globe, with family and to expand the CFO ministry. An avid hunter, Mr. Lippy loved the outdoors. He fly fished the Snake River and Elk hunted in New Mexico. He went Wall-eye fishing in Newfoundland and goose hunting on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. But his favorite hunting spot sat on the north side of his farm. Often his coffee hadn’t cooled by the time he got his first buck.
Mr. Lippy was a friend to all he met. He knew Governors, Members of Congress, Vice Presidents, University Heads, business and medical leaders, Presidential Candidates, and so many more. But to all he was Farmer Wilson.
His generosity of heart and finances helped support many. The stories of his generosity are pouring in and are a great comfort to his family as they mourn his loss.
Surviving in addition to his wife are daughters, Heidi Lippy Sprinkle and husband Mark of Hampstead and Mary Lee Lippy of Hampstead; granddaughters, Rosemary Madeleine (Maddie) Sprinkle, Ruth Olivia (Liv) Sprinkle, Rebecca Frances Sprinkle; grandsons, Joseph Lippy, Devin Lippy, Cody Lippy; sister, Betty Horner of Hampstead; brothers, T. Edward Lippy and wife Marjorie of Hampstead and Donald E. Lippy and wife Kathe of Hampstead and sister-in-law Jane Lippy of Hampstead. He was predeceased by his brother H. Joseph Lippy and brother-in-law Howard S. Horner. He is survived by many beloved relatives from his wife’s family, the Howards of Boring, Maryland and many nieces and nephews. There are also many people who were just like family to Mr. Lippy, including the Stromberg family of Hampstead, Maryland and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
His church families were also very important to him. At the time of his death he split his worship between several churches. He would be seen at Crosswind Church in Westminster, Trinity Assembly of God in Lutherville, and Greater Grace Church in Baltimore City. He was at home wherever the Gospel was unashamedly preached.
The family will receive friends on Friday, October 13, 2017, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm at ELINE FUNERAL HOME, 934 S. Main Street, Hampstead, MD. Services will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2017, 10:00 am at the Crosswind Church, 640 Lucabaugh Mill Road, Westminster, MD with the family receiving friends at a viewing one hour before the service. Interment will be in Wesley United Methodist Cemetery. On Sunday, October 15, 2017, 1:00p.m., a memorial service will be hosted by Greater Grace Church, 6025 Moravia Park Drive, Baltimore, MD.
If Mr. Lippy were here to receive our memorial gifts of flowers and other items he would ask instead that all donations be sent to Christians Farmers Outreach, PO Box 136, Hampstead, MD 21074 or given online at www.christianfarmers.com.