Gregory Thomas Pipkins

Loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, personal courage. The 7 Army values exemplify the life of Staff Sgt Gregory Thomas Pipkins. Born in Peoria, Illinois on Friday, August 13, 1971, the oldest son of Tom and Cathie Butler Pipkins, Greg died October 15, 2024 while in hospice care near his home in Richland, Washington. He fought valiantly against stage 4 melanoma. Greg's parents survive along with his beloved daughter Taylor Rae Pipkins; stepsons Tyson and Brook Patten; brothers Brad (Stacie) and Doug (Keri); nephews Luke, Jack, Cole, TJ, and Ryan; and a host of Pipkins and Butler relatives. His passing is also mourned by the staff and his IT team at Richland School District.

Greg graduated in 1989 from Peoria Central High School where he was an All-State swimmer. On July 6, 1990, Greg enlisted in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne. During four years of active duty, he was proud to receive his jump wings and complete 36 jumps. In 1994, Greg was honored as Trooper of the Year by the Non-Commissioned Officers Association. In subsequent years, Greg served in the Illinois National Guard, Washington National Guard 1st Information Operations, and the Oregon National Guard, retiring in 2016. Following 9-11, Greg was activated for Operation Enduring Freedom and assigned to cyber security duty with top secret/sensitive compartmented clearance. His Army Commendation states, "Your outstanding information operations proficiency immediately impressed the command staff to whom you were assigned including Army, Joint, and USMC headquarters in both the PACOM and CENTCOM areas of operations."

In 2011, Greg was activated for service in Operation New Dawn. During his Iraq service, he flew over 300 UAV combat flight hours and served as Mission Coordinator. His Army Commendation states, "Sgt Pipkins was designated as Mission Coordinator and Aircraft Commander due to his leadership abilities, proficiency, skill, maturity, and judgement. His flight missions aided in the capture of high value targets. Sgt Pipkins showed great personal courage and composure during multiple rocket and mortar attacks." Among Greg's many military awards are the Army Meritorious Service Medal and numerous Commendation, Achievement, Defense, and Humanitarian Service Awards. In recent years, his civilian career focused on technology. At the time of passing, Greg was Director of Information Technology for the 14,000 student Richland School District in Washington State. He was so proud of his dedicated IT Team and grateful to be a member of the Superintendent's cabinet. The family wishes to thank the staff at Avalon Healthcare in Pasco, Washington for their compassionate care in Greg's final weeks and the Seattle and Walla Walla Regional Veteran's Affairs offices for paying the costs.

Per Greg's request, his parents – with much laughter, tears and reminiscing – will transport his cremains on one final road trip to Illinois for eventual resting at St Mary's Cemetery in Peoria, perhaps making a swing by Wrigley Field to salute his beloved Cubbies. Catholic Mass in Peoria and burial details with military honors to be announced at a later date.

For anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution in Greg's name, please consider:

• Tunnel to Towers (t2t.org),

• Peoria Area Water Wizards swim team (415 W. Richmond, Peoria IL 61604), or

• Greg Pipkins Memorial Scholarship (checks payable to the Richland Bomber Boosters, P.O. Box 1651, Richland, WA 99352, or use Venmo @Bomber-Boosters. Reference Greg Pipkins Scholarship in either method). Your contribution will support student athletes from the Richland School District in pursuing their academic goals at the collegiate level.