“Words cannot begin to express my devastation right now. I can’t accept the news my best buddy is gone and I’ll never have another Justin Flippen bear hug again. I loved him dearly. He was one of the best guys I’ve met in Sofla and an amazing Mayor of our city. Gone way too soon. Till we meet again my sweet friend. This ‘Bubba’ will miss you terribly. May his memory be eternal,” wrote Timothy Christopher.