LoRayne Phipps, 82, of Riverton, Wyoming, passed away following a brief illness on February 18, 2025 in Bullhead City, Arizona.
LoRayne Kay Leach was born February 7, 1943, in Casper, Wyoming. She was the fourth of six children born to Wayne and Kathryn (Zimmerer) Leach. She was raised in Shoshoni Wyoming, where her parents owned Yellowstone Drug. That is eventually where she met James Phipps from South Dakota, the man that she would soon fall in love with. Although if you asked her after she first met him, she would have told you there was no way that was going to happen.
On June 5, 1960, LoRayne married the love of her life, James (Jim) Phipps, in Shoshoni Wyoming. They moved to South Dakota where the first of their two children, Randy Jay, was born. They later moved back to Shoshoni and soon had their second son Robbi Ray. In December of 1973 they moved as a family to Arlington, Wyoming, when Jim transferred there with the Wyoming Highway Department. They remained there until his retirement in 1994. During their time there, LoRayne worked at the Rock River school as a Librarian and Secretary.
Upon Jim’s retirement, they relocated to Riverton, Wyoming, where LoRayne went back to work, this time at the Wyoming Fire Academy. She was a Firefighter Certification Coordinator and loved this job. She eventually retired from the State of Wyoming. She soon found herself needing something to do, so she took on a role as a bookkeeper for Carquest. Eventually LoRayne and Jim decided it was time to escape the Wyoming cold. They sold their house in Riverton, hooked onto their fifth wheel camper and officially became snowbirds. They spent the first few years staying in various places, eventually deciding to make Fort Mohave their winter home. They would travel back to Riverton during the summer to escape the Arizona heat and enjoy spending time with family and friends, but were always anxious to get back to Arizona so they could catch up with the special friends they had there too.
LoRayne loved to collect bells. In her younger years she enjoyed painting and crocheting and later enjoyed watching the birds (hummingbirds and cardinals were her favorites), spending time with Jim, playing cribbage, and spending time with the many friends they met along the way.
LoRayne is survived by her husband of almost 65 years, Jim Phipps; Sons Randy (Carrie) Phipps of Rawlins, Wyoming, Robb (Wendi) Phipps of Blanchard, Oklahoma. Grandchildren: Amanda (Cameron) Asher, Jesse Phipps, Tyrel (Ashley) Smith, Kylee (Jacob) Kovachevich, and Kayli Phipps, 7 great grandchildren, and her sister Carol Lehman.
LoRayne was proceeded in death by, Her parents, Wayne and Kathryn Leach, brothers Duane, Bill, Bob and her sister Sharol.
Although she will be dearly missed by many, at LoRayne’s request, there will be no service. Please reach out to Randy or Robb if you would like information or send a card to Jim at 1600 E Joy Lane, Space 49, Fort Mohave, AZ 86426