In the early morning of July 15th, 2023, James Louis Chipouras, 77, of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, affectionately known as “Chip”, passed away. Earlier in the evening a thunder and lightning storm heralded his final hours.
Chaptered memoirs would not be enough space to capture the adventures, and misadventures, of Chip, his life, his family, and his friends. Growing up in Maryland, residing literally all over the world for varied amounts of time, he called Arkansas, and mainly Eureka Springs, home after marrying his wife, Sue. Eureka will always remember Chip called it his home, enjoying his community and his repute as an outlaw hippie. One of the originals.
Chip logged literally thousands and thousands of hours of travel in his life. First as a free-spirited young man seeking the bohemian ideals of his era. Again, as a building contractor, helping drive nails, pull wire, and float mud on more projects all over the country than most tradesman get their hands dirty on in one lifetime. Never one to settle, the siren song of the Grateful Dead tour life called Chip, his family, and many random friends on the road again. This was a badge of honor and the music of the Dead was a source of pure joy for Chip, exemplified by the blaring record player and crazy old man dancing in the middle of Prospect Street. And amongst all of these pursuits, he always found time to travel back and forth to Mexico and Central America seeking wisdom, imports, “remedies”, God, and ultimately, himself.
Never alone, most often with family. Chip took nothing more serious than his family and friends. While many may have dismissed Chip and his hustle later in life, it was always deeply rooted in preserving his family’s independence and his belief that the counterculture represented that ideal. For many, Chip was an experience, “yeah man, he’s a trip”, for the rest of us, he was a partner on that trip.
Chip, the youngest of three children, was born on March 12, 1946, in Washington, D.C. After graduation he went on to serve in the Army. Upon completion of his service, Chip earned his degree in theater arts. The perpetual entrepreneur, a list of Chip’s business ventures include the trades, restaurants, a record store, campgrounds, landlord, and always a handyman. Utilizing his degreed skills in local performances at Inspiration Point, The Auditorium, and many local venues, Chip brought professional passion to sound and lights when not working the daily grind as a skilled tradesman.
With Charity, in action, Chip always tried to exemplify his love of Christ by reaching out to everyone. Literally. Everyone. If you spent any amount of time hanging out with Chip, you invariably spent time with strangers. Hitchhikers, outcasts, and strays always had a place at the Chipouras table. With Sunday community dinners becoming so largely attended they had to be moved to the Episcopal Church across the street from their home, by invitation of the church. Walking through the Chipouras home on a Sunday afternoon had each room displaying high-spirited engagement with live music, soul singing, spiritual debate, gut laughing, and tearful expressions all knit with the sweet aromas of cannabis and pot-luck dishes.
Chip’s spiritual journey was overwrought and challenging. He did not walk the straight and narrow path, but as one spiritual leader once said, “I sure in hell try to cross it as often as I can.” and when allowed, Chip would not hesitate to testify of Jesus Christ and that His Love would conquer all.
Chip was predeceased by his wife, Sue.
He is survived by five children, Asa, Elizabeth, Hannah, Megan, and Michael, their spouses and partners, and 13 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Also leaving behind his two older siblings George and Angeliki.
A Celebration of Life will begin at 3:30 p.m., Sunday, July 23, 2023, at Chelsea’s in Eureka Springs with Earl and Them playing after 5:30 p.m. Graveside service will be 2:00 p.m., Monday, July 24, 2023, at the Eureka Springs Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Flint Street Fellowship & Food Bank, 33 N Main St., Eureka Springs, AR 72632. Online condolences may be sent to the family at nelsonfuneral.com.