Thomas Norman Tipping
1932-2014
Thomas Norman Tipping, 81, passed away on Saturday, January 4, 2014.
Tom was born to the late William Edward Tipping, Sr., and Florence Virginia Brayton Tipping on September 8, 1932, in Virginia, Minnesota. After graduating from Joplin Senior High in 1950, he received his Bachelor of Arts and Science degree from the University of Tulsa in 1954.
Tom married Mary Patricia Vaughan in June of 1953. They lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma for 50 years before retiring to Edmond 10 years ago.
Creative throughout his life, there were few moments when Tom was not designing something, either on the computer, with paint, behind the camera or in his garden. His career began as Art Director with KTUL-TV, Channel 8, in Tulsa. An accomplished graphic artist, he worked until the time of his death under the company of Tipping Graphics. Throughout his life Tom painted acrylics, pastels and oils receiving numerous awards for his artwork. When he wasn't creating, Tom was tending his extensive rose gardens, playing cards or board games with his family or enjoying time with his canine companions, Boi, Koko and Tuxedo.
Tom is survived by his wife, Patricia, and his three children, Denise Marie Tipping, Byron Scot Tipping and wife Sharon, and Lisa Tipping Davis, as well as his four precious granddaughters, Taylor Eirene Tipping, Mary Melissa Davis, Rebekah Suzanne Davis and Madison Alexandra Tipping. The youngest of 8, Tom is survived by two brothers, Bill and Rick Tipping, many nephews and nieces, and his two brothers-in-law, Edward and Michael Vaughan.
Our family sincerely thanks the kind caregivers at the Ambulatory Care Unit of OU Hospital in Edmond, Dr. George Selby and Dr. Suben Naidu and the many others who loved and cared for Tom during his 5 year battle with leukemia.
The funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7, 2014, at the chapel of First Christian Church. 201 E. 2
nd
St., Edmond, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the Stephenson Cancer Center at the University of Oklahoma.
