James Sylvester Nipper Jr.'s Obituary
James Sylvester Nipper, Jr. (Jim) was born to James Sr. and Gladys Nipper on February 3, 1945, in Cordele, Georgia. James was the eldest of nine children. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Earl, and grandson Daniel, son of Rachel.
Jimmy was an avid carpenter at a young age, helping to build the family home in Tallahassee. He joined the Army in 1962 at the age of 19. He served eight years overseas, in Korea and Japan and advanced to Sergeant First Class before his honorable discharge in 1972.
Upon returning to the United States, Jimmy began his career as an over the road semi driver. He was working in the Texas oil fields when he met Mathilda. They were married on December 5, 1981, in Sonora, Texas and had two children. Every weekend was spent camping and fishing on the Rio Grande. The family moved to Holy Ridge, Louisiana and continued to drive until 1994 when he and his family moved from Louisiana to Florida.
While in Florida, Jimmy bought his own boat and began commercial fishing and crabbing alongside his brothers, Charlie and Curtis. After several years of commercial fishing, he returned to the road as a semi driver. He retired from driving in 2008. During the summer of 2010, Jimmy and Mathilda moved to South Dakota, where they lived until March of 2023.
Jimmy was a remarkable person. He was a dedicated husband and a good father, grandfather, brother and friend. He got along with everyone, had a quick sense of humor and laughed often. He was generous, kind and dependable. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Jimmy is survived by his wife Mathilda Nipper. Brothers and sisters, Betty Ruth (Don) Scraggins, Charlie (Rita) Nipper, Shirley Joe (Paul, Passed away 2022) Blackburn, Curtis Nipper, Barbra Ann Nipper, Linda Fay Gannon, and Brenda (Marty) Sparkman; His children and grandchildren with Mathilda; Daughter, Rachel (Arnold) Wipf. Children, Lily (Cody) Hohn, Marcus and Dominic of Ipswich, South Dakota.
Son, James Adam (Veronica) Nipper. Children, Vega R., Velicity, and Vaden Nipper of Tallahassee, Florida.
A funeral service is scheduled for 11:00 AM on Monday, April 3, 2023 at the Tallahassee National Cemetery.
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