Gregory Tipps Coody (Greg)

Gregory (Greg) Tipps Coody, 75, of Waco, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 5, 2026.

A celebration of life and getting up to something good is being planned and will be announced at a future date.

Born in Waco on September 12, 1951, Greg was the son of the late George T. Coody and Lenora Annabelle Lehman. He grew up on his family’s dairy farm just outside of Waco and lived there through the end of his life. He was a graduate of the Waco High School class of 1969.

After high school, Greg served in the United States Marine Corps, an experience that remained a meaningful part of his identity. In later years, he embraced that connection to the military community, proudly supporting fellow veterans through organizations like the Heart of Texas Veterans One Stop.

Greg had a creative streak and a lifelong interest in music and photography. He was a proud member of the band Leather & Lace and enjoyed touring Europe with Mack Abernathy in 1989. He also had an entrepreneurial spirit and was never short on ideas for his next big venture. Some plans were more successful than others, including an ambitious attempt at ostrich farming—but he never seemed to run out of imagination or enthusiasm for what might come next.

Above all, Greg lived a life that was uniquely his own. He prided himself on his independence, being frugal but not cheap, and being able to fix just about anything with baling wire, duct tape, and a pocketknife. He loved his family fiercely.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Diann Coody, his son, Greg Lee Coody, and his granddaughter, Charlotte Swennes.

He is survived by his daughter, Amanda Swennes, son-in-law, Alton Swennes, and grandchildren, Freya and Everett, of Salt Lake City, Utah; his sister, Kristi Dobrovolny and her husband Frank, of Jacksonville, Texas; his nieces Liberty, Audrey, Karli, and Emily and their families; his first wife, LeeAnn McCurrin Coody Radell; and his good friend Jerri Gimlen, of Waco.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Heart of Texas Veterans One Stop or the Alpha-1 Foundation.

We invite you to leave a message or memory of Greg in his “Memorial Guestbook” at www.WHBfamily.com.