Don Lipsey, age 79, of Carthage, Texas, passed away on Tuesday night, September 2, 2025, at his home in Carthage. Robert Don Lipsey was born on September 18, 1945, in Longview, Texas to Ronald Lavern "Tight" and Mary Ellen Whitehurst Lipsey. He attended grade school in Oakwood, Texas.  Don graduated from Longview High School with the class of 1964.  Don attended Kilgore College and Stephen F. Austin State University. He briefly served in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged. Don married Sarah Page "Sallie" Sutton on September 18, 1970, in Alvin, Texas.

While living in Pasadena, Don worked for his father at Lipsey Incorporated in the pipeline construction business and later as ranch foreman for the Lipsey Ranch in Oakwood.  Don attended Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service in Houston where he graduated in 1971, with an associate's degree in funeral service.  In 1972, Don and Sallie moved to Carthage where he served countless families in the Panola County community for over 50 years.

Don served on the board of the Panola County Chamber of Commerce, was a member of the Carthage Noon Lions Club, and a board member of the East Texas Funeral Director's Association.  He was a long time member of the Carthage Masonic Lodge #521, Sharon Temple Shrine and Waco Scottish Rite Bodies.  As a young man, Don was a certified auctioneer, a licensed real estate agent and a private pilot.  Don was a member of the First Methodist Church of Carthage where he was a member of the Loyal Sons Sunday School Class.

Don was preceded in death by both parents and his brother Ronald Ray Lipsey.

Don is survived by his devoted wife of 55 years, Sallie Lipsey; his children, Clint Lipsey and wife Julie, Hillary McCollum and husband Schacht and Stuart Lipsey and wife Brooke; grandchildren, Evan, Ethan, Olivia Stuart, Travis and Evelyn Lipsey; his siblings, Mary Ann Lipsey, William Lipsey and wife Traci and Scott Lipsey; step-mother, Waldine Lipsey; and his beloved Aunt Joya Lipsey.  Don is also survived by loving relatives and many friends.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 5, 2025, at the First Methodist Church in Carthage with Rev. Kevin Otto officiating under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home. Entombment will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery. A viewing will be held from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Thursday at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home.

Pallbearers include Tim Harding, Joe Richard Harding, Dalton Lipsey, Schacht McCollum, Travis Lipsey, Evan Lipsey, Ethan Lipsey, Zeb Peery, Mike Peery, Doug King, and Bob King.

Honorary Pallbearers include Olin Joffrion, Tate Barber, Phil Grimes, Gene Riggs, Bobby Phillips, R.D. Green, Buddy Hall and Donald Bates.

Memorials may be made to the FIRST METHODIST CHURCH, 201 S. Shelby, Carthage, Texas 75633 or C.I.S.D. EDUCATION FOUNDATION, #1 Bulldog Drive, Carthage, Texas 75633.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.