Robert Jackson "Jack" Stripling, Jr.

Robert Jackson Stripling, Jr (Jack), 94, of Greenville, SC passed away peacefully at The Lakes of Litchfield, Pawleys Island, SC.

Born July 30, 1930 in Waycross, GA to the late Louise (Howell) Stripling and Robert Jackson Stripling, Sr. 

Jack attended Waycross High School graduating in 1947 and entered Georgia Institute of Technology where, in 1951, he earned a BS in Textiles Engineering. As a freshman he 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 Jack married his hometown sweetheart, Susan D. (Sue) Yarbrough (Sue predeceased him in 1971). He served as a pilot in the US Air Force as a 2nd Lieut. 1951-1955 including one year in the Korean War. He then entered the workforce with Celanese Fibers Co. in Charlotte, NC in Sales and New York as Director of Sales. In 1967 he joined Phillips Fibers Corp. subsidiary of Phillips Petroleum Co. in Greenville SC as Vice President and retired as their President in 1994.

Anyone who knew or ever met Jack 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.

Jack 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 their school board. In his “spare time” he 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.) He loved visiting their beach house on Litchfield Beach SC 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 Jack…a devoted son, brother, uncle, husband, father, stepfather, grandfather and great-grandfather, 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.

Jack is survived by his three daughters, Susan Dawne Stripling Gannon (Mike), Harriett D “Bunnie” Stripling Hunter (Bill), and Virginia “Ginny” Stripling Smith (Greg); step daughters, Stella Law “Lawly” Pate Ford (Jeepy), Dorothy “Dotsy” Parker Pate, and Beckham “Becky” Pate Dunbar (Jimmie); and stepsons, Wallace Fennell “Fen” Pate Jr. (Dawn) and John McDonald “Jack” Pate.

He is also 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. 

Jack is survived by his great grandson, Grayson Dill, who is carrying on the hunting tradition; and 9 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 survived by his two nephews, William “Bill” Pearson (Genevieve) and their children Amanda, Merritt (a Ga Tech grad) and Mary, and Robert “Bob” Pearson (Dona Sue).

He was predeceased by his sister, Virginia Pearson; a step-grandchild, Jackson Stripling Dunbar.

We would like to express our love and gratitude for dear friend, David Simpson, who for two decades has been an integral part of the family.

The family would also 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 Jack 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 will be on Saturday, December 14, 2024, 10 AM at Christ Church Episcopal, 10 N. Church St. Greenville, SC 29601, conducted by The Rev. Dr. Harrison McLeod. 

In lieu of flowers Memorial contributions would be appreciated to Christ Church Episcopal, 10 N. Church St, Greenville, SC 29601.