Irving ISD’s 20th elementary school is named after two of the district’s most ardent supporters – John and Margie Stipes. The school is formally called John W. & Margie Stipes Elementary School.
The late John Stipes was a parent, booster, trustee, and volunteer in Irving ISD for many years. He received Texas and National Life Membership Awards from the Irving City Council of PTAs. He was elected to the IISD Board of Trustees in 1970 and served 15 years including two terms as president. From 1977 to 1985, he was director of the Texas Association of School Boards. Stipes received the Golden Apple for outstanding volunteer service to IISD in 1998. He was a deacon at First Baptist Church of Irving for 43 years. While serving as an IISD trustee, he and Assistant Superintendent James Day met with parents from Davis School and leading citizens in the black community (among them Jackie Townsell, another IISD elementary namesake) to help bring desegregation to IISD. Stipes served as president of the Irving Schools Foundation for two terms. After his death, the foundation established the John W. Stipes Motivational Scholarship for students who have overcome hardships in their school years.
John’s widow, Margie Stipes, has also been an active supporter of Irving schools. She has been president of the Nimitz High School Booster Club numerous times, and she received a National PTA Life Membership from the Irving City Council of PTAs. She, like her husband, has received the Golden Apple Award for volunteerism. She also received the High Spirited Citizen Award from the Irving City Council. Margie is active in Keep Irving Beautiful, First Baptist Church, and the Irving Schools Foundation.
John and Margie’s children – Larry, Randy and Stacie Stipes – all attended IISD schools.
