Harvey Pipkin

On April 24, 1923, Harvey Pipkin was born to his parents, Dennis Pipkin and Minnie Davis Pipkin in Shreveport, Louisiana. He was raised surrounded by his brother, Joseph and his sisters, Hazel, Dennie Lee, and Vernice. As a child, he would cut cars out of magazines and play with them. He enjoyed taking his record player outside to play music and he carried a jovial personality that kept his family laughing. Harvey received his formal education in Shreveport, LA, where he attended Central Colored High School. Harvey was the proud father of four beautiful children, two sons, Chris and Donald and two daughters, Marlene and Linda. He was a loving and devoted father, whose pride and joy was the care and nurture of his family. He later wed the former, Louise Wilson. They first met in Denver, Colorado. They were married over forty-five years, when she preceded him in death. There were no children born to their union. Harvey was blessed with nine grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild, who all were an additional source of joy and pride in his life. They lovingly called him "Papa or Grandpa" and fondly remember all the happy and precious moments they all shared together. By profession, Harvey was a man who was no stranger to hard work. He worked as a Waiter for Union Pacific Railroad; he worked in one of Denver's Athletic Club; he was employed by the State of Colorado in a government position and he was employed by King Soopers Grocers. Wherever employed, Harvey worked well with others and maintained his jovial personality. A man of faith and belief in the Lord, Harvey accepted the Lord as his personal savior at a very young age. He attended worship service regularly with his late wife, Louise. He was a man who believed in the power of prayer and having a relationship with the Lord. He enjoyed watching Rev. Dr. Charles Stanley and Bobby Jones Gospel on Sunday gospel TV. Harvey was a fun loving man, who enjoyed life and those he encircled. In his free time, he was a sports enthusiast but he favored watching basketball and football. He loved keeping a well-manicured yard. He was fond of his visits to the dog track and purchasing lottery scratch tickets. His greatest pride and joy was driving his 1984, Cadillac, proudly displaying his Colorado plates that read "Pipkin." Another crowning moment in his life happened when he was contacted by the Denver Post Newspaper for an interview during Black History Month, at his age of 92. The article was published on February 15, 2015. He was noted as one of the few remaining African American men who worked for the Denver Railroad as a Pullmen Porter and who were still living. He was both happy and elated to have been asked to do the interview and didn't mind sharing that with others. Harvey will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known this one of a kind guy. To know Harvey was to love him. He is also preceded in death by a son, Donald Johnson; his parents, Dennis and Minnie Pipkin; a brother, Joseph Pipkin and a sister, Hazel Jones. Harvey Pipkin departed this life to the embrace of the Lord on April 27, 2015, in Denver, Colorado. Those left to cherish his memory and mourn his loss include his son, Bishop Chris E. (Sandra) Pipkin, Sr. of Milan, TN; 2 daughters, Marlene McLaughlin of Katy, TX and Linda (Steve) Anderson of Aurora; 2 sisters, Vernice Green and Dennie Lee Simmons both of Denver, CO; 9 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremation - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Visitation: 5/4/2015 at 4:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 5/5/2015 at 11:00 AM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 3370 Ivy Street, Denver, CO
Cemetery: 5/5/2015 - Following the Service Fairmount Cemetery - 430 South Quebec Street, Denver, CO