Irby S. Hipp, III

Born in Rock Hill, SC, he was the son of the late Irby Hipp, Jr. and Liddie Hipp. Irby was also preceded in death by his brother, Jim Hipp.

Irby was a devoted husband and father. He is survived by his wife, Fran Starr Hipp, and his children: Lisa Hipp McNutt (Terry) of Collierville, TN; John Hipp (Lucy) of Charlotte, NC; Greg Hipp (Jill) of Chicago, IL; sister-in-law, Mary Hipp of Columbia, SC; five grandchildren, Brittany Lockwood, Erin Farrell, Jackson Hipp, Ella Hipp, and Lydia Hipp; a nephew, Bennett Hipp and a niece, Sarah Hipp.

Irby was a graduate of Presbyterian College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and graduated with a Master of Business Administration from Winthrop University. He was retired as the owner and operator of CNT Building Supply.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Clinton and the Touchdown Club of Laurens County.

For anyone who encountered Irby, they knew he was a proud graduate of Presbyterian College where he was affiliated with many groups: Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Scotsman Club, and the Alumni Board of Directors. Much more than just a member of these groups, Irby became a legendary Blue Hose throughout his lifetime, and he embodied the spirit of Presbyterian College. Always seen wearing royal blue and a PC logo, Irby became a full-time fan during his retirement. Both in Clinton and making many road trips, Irby and his faithful wife, Fran, followed the Blue Hose as the student athletes’ biggest fans. Beyond just a face in the stands, Irby built relationships with the athletes, parents, and coaches. On a Saturday in the Fall, Irby would be found circulating tailgates and the stands of Bailey Memorial Stadium. In the winter months, Irby was a fixture behind the PC basketball benches at the Gregg L. Nibert Court. Springtime delivered baseball season where Irby continued to be an enthusiastic fan of the Blue Hose at the Elton Pollock Field. While these sports were his main pastime, Irby supported all Blue Hose athletics and often kept up with the scores of various PC sports on his cell phone while attending a different Blue Hose game and made great use of his ESPN+ account to watch away games at home. Irby faithfully cheered on all of the athletic programs at Presbyterian College, and the stands will feel a true gap without his presence in the crowd. His legacy will forever be rooted in Blue Hose lore as PC’s biggest fan.

A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, October 18, 2026 at 2:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church of Clinton with Rev. Andy Chambers officiating. The family will greet friends in the Fellowship Hall following the service. The service will be live-streamed on www.fpcclinton.org/.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Presbyterian College Scotsman Club, 503 South Broad Street, Clinton, SC 29325 or online at www.presby.edu/giving/give-now/.

Condolences may be expressed to the family online by visiting www.grayfuneralhome.com.

Gray Funeral Home of Clinton is assisting the Hipp family with services.