Laverne Joseph Zipprich passed away Christmas Day 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas where he had moved to be closer to his family. Laverne was born on April 3, 1930 in Grafton, Illinois to Charles & Zita Zipprich. Known to his friends as "Zip", "Laverne", "Vern" and "LJ", he graduated from the Engineering school at the University of Illinois and immediately sought, and gained a commission in the United States Air Force. He served four years stationed as a Lieutenant at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. After the Air Force he worked for 35 years at the Albuquerque site of Sandia National Laboratories as a Nuclear Weapons Engineer. He lived the majority of his life in Albuquerque with a brief period in Ruidoso, New Mexico before returning. Zip had two siblings, Charles Zipprich, a well-known and beloved priest in southern Illinois, and Mary Beucker who resides in Alton, Illinois with her son, Billy. He leaves behind four children; Jeanne Marie Smith (Zipprich), David Charles Zipprich, Thomas Edward Zipprich and Gregory Joseph Zipprich. In addition, Zip was blessed with 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Zip's love of good ice cream cone at the end of the day somehow made this world a better place. In lieu of flowers, Zip requested that in honor of his grand-daughter, Raquel Andrea Zipprich, donations be sent to her Annual Memorial Scholarship fund. Checks can be sent to: Wylie ISD, Attn: Carol Smith for R.A.Z. Memorial Scholarship, 6251 Buffalo Gap Rd, Abilene, TX 79606.