Clifford “Kip” Sleeth went home to join his Savior on April 10, 2024, after a long illness. Born Feb. 21, 1947, in Springfield, Missouri to Thomas and Mary (Gray) Sleeth, Kip spent most of his early life in the southwest Missouri area, graduating from Central High School in 1965. He enlisted in the Air Force and served in North Dakota.
He moved to Houston, Texas in 1980, working in management in the roller-skating business and then at O’Reilly Auto Parts. He spent the rest of his career in store and warehouse management with O’Reilly for more than two decades. He retired, but never one to slow down for very long, returned as a driver for O’Reilly.
Kip is survived by his soulmate and wife of 38 years, Karen Sleeth of Houston. He is also survived by his daughter Gaylee and son-in-law Mike Koehler and his son Corey Sleeth, all of Oklahoma City. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Malcolm, Maura and Thomas Koehler. In addition, he is survived by many loving aunts, uncles and cousins from the Sleeth and Gray families, those he felt were more like brothers and sisters, as they all grew up closely together. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Mary Sleeth.
Visitation will be held in Houston on Tuesday, April 16 at Forest Lawn Funeral Home.
In addition, visitation will also be held on Thursday, April 25 at Greenlawn Funeral Home South in Springfield from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., before Kip is laid to rest at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, 5201 S Southwood Rd, Springfield, Missouri 65804 at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers and to honor Kip’s legacy, the family requests memorial contributions be made in his name to the Prostate Cancer Foundation with Partnership of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. These donations will help towards further research and support to veterans fighting prostate cancer. Donations should be designated in memory of Kip Sleeth and can be made by clicking on the link below.