Jim's longest and most cherished roles were those he played in his family. Jim married his high school sweetheart, Carrie Short-Lippert (aka "Liebchen") and they recently celebrated 40 years together. Jim and Carrie raised four remarkable children--Christopher (Tarra) Lippert, John (Kelly) Lippert, Patrick (Ashley) Lippert, and Marie Lippert (and fiancé Keegan Hodge). Jim was an active, engaged, and loving parent, always setting a positive example based on his values and his deep sense of love for them and Carrie. However, Jim especially flourished as a proud and enthusiastic grandfather ("Papa Bear") to five perfect grandchildren-Brynn, Larkin, Luke, Esther, and Scott. Carrie and Jim have hosted Sunday night dinners with more than twenty family members for years-opening their table and lives to their family and others (at which they routinely prayed for Joe Burrow).
Jim was the loving son of Mary and Bob Lippert, Brother to Dave (Teresa) Lippert, Steve (Joan) Lippert, Debbie Bellman, Jennie (Tom) Ruehlmann, Mike (Molly) Lippert. He was a sweet, caring uncle to Jamie (Ashley), Nicholas, and Christian Bellman; Kristi (Glen) Burke and Katie Lippert; Bobby (Michelle), Michael (Kate), Scott (Michelle), Kristen and Karli Lippert, Kimberly (Mike Nelson), Brian (Amy), and David Ruehlmann; Cady and Hope Tageson; Alex, Skye and Seth Thompson. And Jim loved all of his in-laws, cousins, aunts, and uncles, enjoying annual traditions with all of them over the years. Jim is preceded in death by his father Bob Lippert, brother-in-law Mike Bellman, and his niece, Elizabeth Kay ("Libby") Thompson.