George Nipe Jr Obituary

George Maynard "Coach" Nipe Jr. , 76, of Harrisonburg, passed away on Tuesday October 3, 2023 at the Sentara RMH Medical Center. Mr. Nipe was born on August 11, 1947 in Roanoke, and was a son of the late Dr. George and Louise (Bowman) Nipe. George attended Bridgewater College where he played football, and he later completed his education at James Madison University. He went on to coach football at JMU where he was a member of the original coaching staff when the program began in 1972. Before his passing George was the last surviving member of that original staff. He spent almost 20 years in coaching and he always said what he loved the most was helping young men reach their full potential. Within the WW II historian community, he was widely considered an expert on the eastern front, frequently reached out for consultation by other writers. He wrote three published books, Decision in the Ukraine, Blood, Steel, and Myth, and Last Victory in Russia. Friends and family knew George for his dry and witty sense humor, as well as his love of books, music and dogs. On November 24, 1979 he married the former Linda Turner who survives. In addition to his wife, Mr. Nipe is survived by a son, George Maynard Nipe, III and fiance, Christina of Harrisonburg; a brother, Jim Nipe and wife Mary Lou of Bridgewater; sister, Ann Stevens and husband Jeff of Florida; nieces and nephews, Mindy Hughes and husband Denny, Scott Turner and wife Marilyn, Katie Regan and husband Matt, Dan Batman, Christian Nipe and Kassi. A memorial service will be held on Saturday October 21, 2023 at 1 PM at Harrisonburg First Church of the Brethren 315 S. Dogwood Dr. , Harrisonburg, with Pastor Marty Doss and Mary Lou McMillin officiating. His lifelong friend Brent Good and his son will also be speaking at the service. The family will receive friends following the service. The family would like to extend a sincere THANK YOU to the staff of Blue Ridge Rehab and Nursing and the staff of the Sentara RMH Medical Center for all of their care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, the family requests all memorial contributions be made to the VPAS (Meals on Wheels) program, 975 S. Main St. , Harrisonburg, VA 22801; or to the Harrisonburg Rockingham S. P. C. A. P. O. Box 413, Harrisonburg, VA 22803. To plant Memorial Trees in memory of George Maynard "Coach" Nipe, Jr. , please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.