GREENVILLE, S.C. — Robert Jackson “Jack” Stripling, Jr., 94, of Greenville, S.C., passed away peacefully Saturday, December 7, 2024, at The Lakes of Litchfield, Pawleys Island, S.C.
Born July 30, 1930 in Waycross to the late Louise (Howell) Stripling and Robert Jackson Stripling, Sr. Stripling attended Waycross High School, graduating in 1947, and entered Georgia Institute of Technology where, in 1951, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in textile engineering.
As a freshman, Stripling played baseball. He was a member of numerous academic, service, and social organizations, including Delta Tau Delta fraternity, where he met many lifelong friends. After college graduation, Stripling married his hometown sweetheart, Susan D. “Sue” Yarbrough, who predeceased him in 1971.
Stripling served as a pilot in the United States Air Force as a Second Lt. 1951-1955, including one year in the Korean War.
He then entered the workforce with Celanese Fibers Co. in Charlotte, N.C. in sales and in New York as Director of Sales. In 1967, Stripling joined Phillips Fibers Corp., subsidiary of Phillips Petroleum Co. in Greenville as vice president and retired as their president in 1994.
Anyone who knew or ever met Stripling heard this: “What can I do for you?”
He truly lived a life of service to his country, his church, his family, his friends, his employees and really anyone he met! He touched a world of people from his travels, his work, and his communities.
Stripling served on the boards of many professional and civic organizations including: the Advisory Board Georgia Institute of Technology, Spartan Mills, Inc., Citizens and Southern National Bank South Carolina, Board of Managers South Carolina Historical Society, and as a Trustee Greenville Technical College Foundation.
He attended Christ Church Episcopal in Greenville and also served on its school board. In his “spare time” Stripling enjoyed tennis, hunting, golfing and fishing and, of course, flying. (The plane he waited a lifetime to purchase was his Beechcraft Baron tail #N5888S he would tell us at age 94.)
Stripling loved visiting their beach house on Litchfield Beach, and taking long walks with his wife, Stella, and their labrador “Sandy.”
He was an active member of Greenville Country Club, The Reserve Golf Club at Pawleys, The Poinsett Club, and Pawleys Island Yacht Club.
Family was everything to Stripling — a devoted son, brother, uncle, husband, father, stepfather, grandfather and greatgrandfather, he loved, enjoyed and cared for everyone. His light and his smile will shine on in their hearts.
In 1972, he married and is survived by Stella Law Stripling, his loving wife and partner of 52 years.
He also is survived by his three daughters, Susan Dawne Stripling Gannon (Mike), Harriett D. “Bunnie” Stripling Hunter (Bill), and Virginia “Ginny” Stripling Smith (Greg); stepdaughters, Stella Law “Lawly” Pate Ford (Jeepy), Dorothy “Dotsy” Parker Pate, and
Stripling
Beckham “Becky” Pate Dunbar (Jimmie); and stepsons, Wallace Fennell “Fen” Pate Jr. (Dawn) and John McDonald “Jack” Pate.
Stripling also is loved and survived by 17 grandchildren and step grandchildren: Sara Dill (Justin), Nick Gannon (Nicole), Allie Hunter, Austin Hunter, Bryan Smith (Zoe), Coleman Smith, Allston Pate Shore (Royall), Emerson Pate, Jeep Ford (Mari), Pate Ford (Caroline), Stella Ford Dawson (Andrew), Lyle Bridgers, Sherrod Bridgers Law (Jeremy), Ellis Bridgers, Becka Dunbar Clayton (Jonathan), Mac Dunbar and Pate Dunbar.
Stripling is survived by his great grandson, Grayson Dill, who is carrying on the hunting tradition; and nine step great grandchildren, Stella Piper Dawson, Virginia Dawson, Burkley Ford, Wallace Ford, Mary Beckham Clayton, Sarah Clayton, Finn Ford, Sitton Ford, and Robert Shore.
He is also is survived by his two nephews, William “Bill” Pearson (Genevieve), and their children Amanda, Merritt (a Georgia Tech grad) and Mary, and Robert “Bob” Pearson (Dona Sue).
He was predeceased by his sister, Virginia Pearson; and a step grandchild, Jackson Stripling Dunbar.
The family also would like to express love and gratitude for dear friend, David Simpson, who for two decades has been an integral part of the family.
The family also would like to thank the staff at the Lakes of Litchfield and the incredible group of Live Long Well Care caregivers who made certain that our father had not only the physical care he needed, but provided him with patience and companionship. The Tidelands Community Hospice family provided compassionate end of life care to our father and comfort for our family.
Jack Stripling, RJ, Strip, Big Jack, Dad, Grandaddy lived such an immense life for just one man. He will be missed by so many.
Funeral Services were held Saturday, December 14 at Christ Church Episcopal conducted by the Rev. Dr. Harrison McLeod.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions would be appreciated to Christ Church Episcopal, 10 N. Church Street, Greenville, 29601.
Services were in care of J.M. Dunbar Funeral Home & Crematory.
