Larry J. Lippon, 73
Larry J. Lippon, 73, born April 21, 1951, in Le Mars, Iowa, died on Sept. 12, 2024, in Kalispell.
A shining example of his mid-west upbringing, Larry developed a dogged work ethic and an equally strong drive to get out and make his place in the world.
In his school years, he was a natural athlete, starring in both basketball and baseball. His competitive nature and leadership skills served him well in the business world he was later drawn to master.
From his early 20’s, Larry was entrepreneurial. He utilized his gifts of magnetic charm, intelligence, instinct, insight, bullheadedness, luck and the willingness to push himself to do the work of 10 men to become a model for The American Dream. In his usual self-deprecating style, he was quoted when asked the reason for his success, "Risk everything and not be afraid to fail. If you are afraid to fail, you certainly will ... or be too stupid to know that you can fail, which may have been my blessing."
From his start as a builder and cabinet maker to chairman and CEO of his international company, Video Lottery Technologies, Larry cut a wide swath. His meteoric rise to success was exhilarating, shared with his "team" who he always saw as equals and made feel that they worked WITH him not FOR him. His love of the "game" outweighed, by far, motive of profit.
Shortly after retiring for the first time at 42, Larry followed his passions into golf course building for the reason, he said, of his always being guaranteed a tee time! Raven golf courses reflected his vision of providing a first-class golf experience at an exceptional public course. After fulfilling this new creative endeavor with the completion of two courses in Arizona and one in the works in Florida, he sold the courses and moved on to "dabble" in numerous businesses of interest to him. Ultimately discovering that his tried-and-true methods of business success were a poor fit for the new age, he decided to rest on his laurels with time to enjoy his friends and family, his Montana mountain ranch, his wood working shops and his beloved Whisper Rock golf club.
Larry will be remembered for:
- generosity and kindness to man and beast
- sense of fun, sense of humor, and sense of adventure
- secret chicken and rib recipes
- paying the tab
- strong, silent type; more a listener than a talker; measured words of wisdom
- man’s man; outdoorsman; crack shot; lived by his own set of rules; high risk behavior — humility in spite of successes
- didn’t suffer fools
- encouraged the talents of others that they didn’t see in themselves; mentor to many — tolerant, loyal, supportive husband; loving father, son, brother, uncle, friend to many
The recent loss of his only child, Lucy, wounded him deeply.
Larry’s peaceful and unexpected passing is a reflection of the way he lived his life .... never lingering at a business meeting, a party or a golf shot. He was always restless to move on.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Cindy Lippon; brother, Dennis Lippon (Dori); numerous brothers-in-laws and their wives; numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Larry was preceded in death by daughter, Lucia Zupan Lippon.
Memorial donations can be sent to JR Golf Association of Arizona or to a children’s health organization of your choice. To send online condolences, please visit www.columbiamortuary.com.