of Sherwood, AR

July 21, 1928 - February 10, 2022

Francis A. Stipsky, age 93, of Sherwood, passed away February 10, 2022, from complications of pneumonia.

He was born July 21, 1928, in Jefferson County, Vaugine Township, to Jim and Elizabeth (Hloviea) Stipsky. Francis spoke only Czechoslovakian until he began attending school.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved grandson Ian Smith, infant brother George Stipsky, two brothers, George Lewis Stipsky and Jimmy Stipsky, and two sisters, Lillian Leath and Rose Marie O'Shea.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Sheryl Stipsky; daughters Debra Hanlon, Lisa Carter and Shannon Verch; brother Raymond Stipsky and his wife Cindy; sister Annie Heflin; five grandchildren, Megan Smith, Josh Carter, Chance Carter, Niki Norris and Matthew Verch; numerous nieces and nephews, extended family and by his favored humans, his cherished great-grandchildren, Chloe, Lawson, Weldon, Nathaniel, Zella, Axel, Zeke and Monty; and his favored canine, shih tzu, Lilah.

Mr. Stipsky, (Daddy, Dad, Gov, Papaw, Caged Go'rilla, Stick in the mud) was raised in Slovak, Arkansas, working the family 300-acre rice farm. When of age, he joined the US Army serving overseas in Korea as a master sergeant and tank battalion leader. While serving he toured Europe as a Boxer entertaining troops. He retired from the Army after 20 years of service, then worked and retired from May Supply company after 25 years.

His joy was found in family, friends, and gardening for them all. He loved getting together with his brothers, sister and friends talking Czech and telling decades old stories.

He spoke fondly of lifelong friends Peggy and Carl Frank and loved telling stories of brothers George, Jimmy, and Raymond.

He was a selfless, caring man who loved his family - Always concerned for their well-being. Always and to the very end. Late in the evening before his passing, he lovingly asked his wife, ''Do you have enough gas in your car?''. He then turned to his doctor with pointed finger, instructing him ''you make sure she gets home okay''. His lifetime of caring is evidenced by stories spanning from the period where he gave up smoking cigars to purchase a piano for his daughters to showing up at his granddaughter's work (at age 80) to check the air in her tires, to years of Saturday care packages. Unbeknownst to his wife, he would ''shop her pantry'' each Saturday morning before going to mow the girls lawns. The packages consisted of tissue, Irish Spring soap, Vienna sausages and candy for the kids. Now a blessed, cherished memory.

His children and grandchildren fondly remember and share ''None of us could visit him without having our oil and tire pressure checked-ever''. An avid gardener, he raised a vegetable garden for the best part of the past 47 years. Distributing 95[%] to family, friends, and neighbors. He found delight in recent years planting sections of carrots and potatoes with his great-grandchildren, particularly enjoying watching them harvest their crops.

Though we grieve his passing, we are deeply thankful for his being. We will continue to celebrate him through pictures and stories and pass on his legacy by loving and caring for our families and our friends.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, February 17, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., at Roller-Owens Funeral Home, 5509 JFK Blvd, North Little Rock.

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