Earnest D Lipe Jr., 66 years old and a resident of Gill passed away on Sunday, October 15, 2023, at Northern Colorado Medical Center, with his family by his side.

Earnie was born October 8, 1957, in Fort Morgan, Colorado to Ernie and Patricia Lipe, (Patty Gettman) Earnie grew up and went to school in Fort Morgan until his junior year, he then moved to Walden and graduated from Walden High in 1976. He went on to Denver Automotive and Diesel College and got his Mechanic Certificate in the early eighties. He worked for numerous construction companies throughout his life. He was a welder, pipefitter, and heavy equipment operator. He worked for Kelly Trucking, Ames Construction, Belair and for the past 14 years worked for Wells Ranch/4X industrial.

Earnie was a very family-oriented man. He enjoyed riding his Harley, camping, fishing, going to the mountains, playing with his dogs, and tinkering in his shop.

Ernie was a very loving husband, father, grandfather a very kindhearted man, but stern. Let us put it this way. He got his point across. Many called him brother/friend someone that you could count on, always made time for his granddaughter whether it was taking her shopping, patiently reading her the Sunday comics as a toddler, letting her do his hair and nails,  or teaching her to eat Oreos without getting them all over her face. He loved being a grandpa and from day one she had his heart, and she had his.

Until we meet again, you are forever in our hearts. We love you. You are on your final ride.

Earnie is survived by his loving wife Christy; Son, Christopher of Greeley, Daughter, Ashley of Greeley; Granddaughter, Destiny, of Gill; His Aunt and Uncle Deann and Keith Weber, of Wiggins; His aunt Kathy Northrop, of Greeley; and His Uncle and Aunt Dick and Judy Lipe of Loveland; many cousins , 2 sister-in-law's, Janice Munden, of Fort Morgan  and Joan Welsh, of Greeley; two brother-in-law's, Donold Hicks of California and Harold and (Cathy) Hudson of Greeley; and many nephews and nieces.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ernie, and Patty (Getman) Lipe; His Mother and Father-in-law Clarence and Betty Hudson; Grandparents, Walter, and Katherine (Kress) Getman, Thomas and Jewel Lipe, His Aunt Lois Jean his aunt Donna Dunham and Uncle Kenneth, Brother-in-law is Alvin Hicks and Clarence Hudson; Sister-in-Law's Linda Griess and Gail Hudson.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 27th at 1:00 PM at Heer Mortuary Chapel in Fort Morgan. Inurnment will follow in Serenity Falls Columbarium in Fort Morgan.