Long-time local pharmacist Gary Wilson Cripps passed away on Aug. 13 at the age of 69 He was a retired pharmacist of Cripps-France Pharmacy in Smithville.
Cripps was a member of the first PharmD class to graduate from the University of Tennessee (UT) College of Pharmacy in 1969. Dr. Cripps went on to teach at the UT College of Pharmacy. He was a active member of the Tennessee Pharmacists Association serving in numerous leadership positions including: Chairman on the ad hoc Committee on Pharmacy Practice; pharmacy representative on the Tennessee Medicaid Committee to develop a program in prescribing improvement; a member of the Board of Directors of the Pharmacists Service Corporation; and Chair of the Tennessee Society of Independent Pharmacists 1988-1989. He received many awards in recognition of his outstanding service to the profession including the 1993 University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy Outstanding Alumnus, 1993 Tennessee Pharmacists Association Pharmacist of the Year, and 1994 Tennessee Society of Health-System Pharmacists Innovative Pharmacy Award. He was also a member of the American Pharmacists Association.
Tennessee Pharmacy Association Executive Director Baeteena Black remarked, "Gary Cripps was a giant in the pharmacy profession. Dr. Cripps was recognized by his colleagues as a true intellectual and as an innovator and visionary leader in the design, delivery and reimbursement of pharmacist delivered patient care services. As an educator and practitioner he served as an inspiration and mentor for numerous pharmacists in Tennessee. There was only one Gary Cripps and he will be truly missed."
Cripps is survived by Susan Young Cripps, his wife of 48 years, three children, Marcy Frances Cripps of Smithville, Susannah Cripps Daughtry and husband Blake Daughtry of Dothan, Alabama and Molly Rebecca Cripps of Nashville. Four grandchildren, Elizabeth "Libby" Hufham, Katherine "Kate" Hufham, Wallace "Bryce" Daughtry and John "Jeb" Daughtry all of Alabama.
Cripps was born on July 4th, 1945 to Frances Grizzle and Wilson Robert Cripps in Detroit, Michigan. They returned home to Tennessee when Gary was six weeks old. He was the oldest of three sons: Hugh Don was born in 1946 and Wayne in 1950. Gary attended Smithville Elementary School, where he met the love of his life, Susan Young, in the fourth grade. He graduated from Smithville High School in 1963 and attended Tennessee Technological University. In the fall of 1965 Gary began pharmacy school at the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy in Memphis
Gary was an avid golfer, and loved playing with his wife, family, and friends. Gary and Susan took many golf trips together and particularly enjoyed going to the Masters Golf Tournament. He attended the Masters for the last time in April with his daughter Molly and close friends. In May he attended The Players Championship tournament with his grandchildren after receiving a special invitation from his grandson Jeb.
In Lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or The University of TN College of Pharmacy in memory of Dr. Gary Cripps. Checks to UT should be made payable to the UTFI noting the gift is for the UT Gary Cripps Memorial Fund. The checks should be mailed to: Attn: Jada Williams, 62 South Dunlap, Suite 515, Memphis, TN 38163; phone 901-448-4974
