Ralph E. Tipton's Obituary
Ralph Ernest Tipton, 84, of Memphis, TN entered the gates of Heaven and into the presence of his Lord and Savior on Friday, July 11.
Ralph was born in Kansas City, MO in 1941 to Ralph Wynne Tipton and Ernestine Johnson Tipton.
Ralph is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Anne Holloway Tipton and his two children, Ralph Ernest Tipton, jr. (Tip), wife Kelly (Mary Myers and Bridges Wynne) and Lynne Tipton Rooker, husband Terry (Terry Brent jr. (Allie), Joshua Tipton (Kenzie) and Mary Alden (fiancé Carson)) and one sister, Peggy Bright. He also leaves behind two precious great granddaughters, Blair Evelyn and Blake Eloise, and many loved nephews and nieces.
Ralph and Mary Anne graduated from Central High School in 1959 where he excelled as a 4-sport athlete setting many city records at the time. Ralph accepted an offer from Coach Adolph Rupp to play basketball for the University of Kentucky Wildcats while Mary Anne went to Vanderbilt University to continue her studies. Love proved greater than basketball as the two could not stay apart. They both moved back to Memphis after their freshman years and attended/graduated from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis).
Ralph was an admired business executive spending the vast majority of his career in the hospitality industry. He retired at the age of 65 only to be asked to come out of retirement and work another two years.
In addition to his faith, Ralph’s passion was his family. Even as a busy traveling executive, he always made every effort to attend all of Tip and Lynne’s events, games, school performances, etc. When his grandchildren came along, he was at every scrimmage, game, band concert, or performance that they were involved. He simply was present at everything.
When not with his family, Ralph could be found on the golf course. One of his fondest memories was traveling with several friends from church to Hardy AR where they would put on the Hardy Extravaganza - three days of golf and fellowship. While Ralph had many special golf buddies, if asked who would be in his favorite foursome, he would quickly say, “me and my three grandsons.”
Ralph and Mary Anne have been members of First Evangelical Church for over 50 years and treasure the special friendships they have made in their Bountiful Blessings Sunday school class.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Ernestine, and his sister Katherine Tipton Dickenson.
Visitation will be Thursday, July 17 at First Evangelical Church at 10:00 with a 11:30 service following. Memorial Park has charge. There will be a private family entombment at Memorial Park Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the First Evangelical Missions Fund.
What’s your fondest memory of Ralph?
What’s a lesson you learned from Ralph?
Share a story where Ralph's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Ralph you’ll never forget.
How did Ralph make you smile?
