Earl Meacham Kipka, 85, of Dunedin, Florida, died May 1, 2018, at Willow Valley Cemetery, Mooresville, North Carolina.

He was born February 10, 1933 in the Philippines, to the late Claude White Kipka and Julia Meacham Kipka. Mr. Kipka was a Korean War Veteran in the Army and a graduate of Appalachian State Teachers College. He was a retired Pipe Fitter and Air Conditioning Contractor. An Outing Leader of the Sierra Club Miami Group for Cayo Costa, the Everglades, the Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas, he led many canoeing trips on Florida rivers and canals. Mr. Kipka was a member of the Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater Church in Clearwater, Florida. He was a member of the Hurricane Pass Anglers Club in Clearwater and also volunteered at Florida Parks, restoring native flora species. He was an adventurer and environmentalist who loved traveling the entire world.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Kipka was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Magner Kipka, and then his life partner, Zora B. Reece. He is survived by niece, Jeri Jones Edwards and her husband Kyle, and great-nephew, Joseph Earl Edwards, as well as many other nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 10, 2018 at 2 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater, 2470 Nursery Road, Clearwater, FL 33764 with Rev. Patrice Curtis officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater Church, 2470 Nursery Rd, Clearwater, FL 33764; Population Connection, 2120 L Street NW, Suite 500, Washington DC 20037; Negative Population Growth, 2861 Duke St., Suite 36, Alexandria, VA 22314; or Sierra Club, 2101 Webster St Suite 1300, Oakland, CA 94612.

Carolina Cremation is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be made to the family at www.carolinacremation.com.