STEPHEN K. GIPSON
Age 74 of Munson Twp., died unexpectedly December 31, 2018 at UH Geauga Medical Center. Born July 16, 1944 in Noblesville, IN, to Donald and Ruth (nee: Statzer) Gipson, he has been a Chardon resident since 1970. Steve was very involved with the Chardon Square Association for more than 30 years, he was instrumental in the building of the Band Stand on Chardon Square and very involved with the auxiliary of the Geauga County Fair, especially in the Flower Hall for over 30 years, because his wife was a member. He came to the area to help build and open the TRW Golf Course after graduating from Purdue University. Steve was awarded the Mal McLaren Award for professional excellence in 1995 and the Professional Excellence Award for The Ohio Turfgrass Foundation in 1980. He was a member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America for 49 years and the Northern Ohio Golf Course Superintendents Association for 49 years and Past President in 1978-1979.
Survivors include his wife Jan (nee: Booth) Gipson of Munson Twp., daughter Kimberly Lyn (Mark Howard) Gipson of Stow and grandsons, Josh and Brandon Howard. Steve also leaves his mother, Ruth (nee: Statzer) Gipson of Westfield, IN, sister Cindy Harvey of Cicero, IN and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Donald.
Private family burial will be held at Maple Hill Cemetery. A Celebration of Steve’s life, will be held Saturday, April 6, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. at Pilgrim Christian Church, 202 South Hambden Street, Chardon, Ohio. The family requests donations to the Purdue Research Fund, 403 West Wood Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907. In the memo “In memory of Stephen K. Gipson, for Agronomy scholarship.