Gerald A. “Jerry” Tipton: Obituary

Gerald A. “Jerry” Tipton, age 84, of Murphy, passed away Sunday, December 9, 2018 in Blairsville, Georgia. He was a native of Topeka, Kansas, and lived in Orlando, Lakeland, and Brandon, Florida before moving to Murphy in 1993.  He was a veteran of the Korean War serving in the United States Air Force.  Jerry retired in 1988 as manager of Transoceanic Freighting Services of IMCC in Tampa, Florida.  He was a member of the Murphy First Baptist Church where he sang in the choir and a church quartet.  He was also a long-time member of the Tampa Bay Heralds of Harmony Barber Shop Chorus in Tampa.  Jerry loved playing tennis, practicing carpentry, and studying the Bible.

He was the son of the late William and Elva Rich Tipton.  He was preceded in death by his first wife, Nancy Lyles Tipton; three sisters; and seven brothers.

Surviving are his wife, Joyce Bundy Tipton; two daughters, Deanna Campbell and husband, Bill of Milton, Georgia and Carol Foster and husband, Brad of Lenexa, Kansas; a step-daughter, Michele Armesto and husband, Alberto of Woodbridge, Virginia; a son, Allen Tipton of Cranford, New Jersey; a step-son, Martin Armbrester and wife, Maria of Maryville, Tennessee; a sister, Mildred Wray and husband, Charles of Topeka, Kansas; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 13, 2018, followed by a reception, at Murphy First Baptist Church with Rev. Jimmy Tanner officiating. Pallbearers were Walker Rowland, Larry Parrish, Larry Moyer, Danny Waters, Steve Hatfield, and Fred Heath. Honorary pallbearers were members of the Fellowship 1 Sunday School class, Men’s Bible Study, and Men’s Ministry.

The family received friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Gerald A. “Jerry” Tipton to Murphy First Baptist Church, 517 Hiwassee Street, Murphy, NC  28906.

Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy in charge of all arrangements.