Fred D. Nipper

Fred D. Nipper, 82, passed away in Amarillo on March 11, 2020. Fred was born on August 2, 1937, in Wellington, Texas, to L. H. Nipper and Jessie Mae Barton Nipper. Fred graduated from Amarillo High School in 1955. He married his high school sweetheart, Mary Don Wood, on June 23, 1958. To this union were born three children, Larry Don Nipper, Steven Wayne Nipper, and Nancy Ann Nipper. Fred and Mary were married for 40 years before her death in 1998. They enjoyed fishing at Lake Texoma for many years. Fred was a unique person in that he worked for the same company all his life. He retired as Vice President of Sales from Metro Auto Supply, formerly Nunn Manufacturing, in 2000. He never met a stranger and was always seen chewing on a cigar. Fred purchased a Harley-Davidson motorcycle after Mary’s death. That’s how he met his second wife, Brenda Pickle Cole, and they were married on November 23, 2002. Fred and Brenda traveled extensively on their motorcycles and made many Harley friends. Fred was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan and never missed watching a game on television. He was also a NASCAR fan. Fred was preceded in death by his parents and sons, Steven Nipper and Larry Nipper. He is survived by two sisters, Rita Roy and husband, Wayne, of Abilene, Texas, and Rhonda Sugg-Zamora of Amarillo; wife, Brenda Nipper of Amarillo; daughter Nancy Calcote and husband, Jon, of Craig, Colorado; daughter-in-law, Holly Nipper of Amarillo; five grandchildren: Tara Calcote Williams and husband, Chris, of Bulverde, Texas; Brandy Calcote Raper and husband, Jake, of Hurst, Texas; Dusty Calcote of Fort Worth, Texas; Joshua Nipper and wife, Bethany, of Amarillo, Texas; and Emily Nipper and fiancée, Randy Wheeler, of Dallas, Texas; seven great grandchildren, Boston and Maverick Williams; Royce, Hayes and Nash Raper; and Charlotte and Savannah Nipper. Fred is survived by several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his beloved Jack Russell Terrier, Macy. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 13, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Cox-Rowley Funeral Home. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 14, in the chapel of Cox-Rowley Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. The family would like to thank Kindred Hospice, Kandis Bostick with Visiting Angels, Virginia Green with Privileged Home Care, and the Canyon Alzheimer’s Support Group for their care and support of Fred and Brenda through the past several months.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Soroptimist International of Amarillo, PO Box 9201, Amarillo, TX 79105 or Family Support Services of Amarillo, PO Box 31150, Amarillo, TX 79120.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.