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Lyle Warren Tipton

It is with regret that we announce the passing of Mr. Lyle Warren Tipton, age 71, of Soldotna, Alaska formerly of Fayetteville, TN. A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, March 5, 2022, at Park City Baptist Church with Bro. Don Russell and Bro. Benny Berry officiating. Burial will follow in Lincoln Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 5 pm to 8 pm on Friday, March 4, 2022, at Higgins Funeral Home. Lyle passed away on February 22, 2022, at his residence.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Martha Amos Tipton; children, Heather Faith (Daniel) McNeely of Johnson City, TN, Adam Lyle (Katie) Tipton of Murfreesboro, TN, and Kara Elizabeth (Colby) Malone of Huntsville, AL; grandchildren, Reid McNeely, Kyle McNeely, Luke McNeely, Kaylee Belle Malone, Aubrey Kate Tipton, and Collier Malone; sisters, Judy Robinson, and Cathy (Wayne) Thornton; and several nieces and nephews. Lyle was preceded in death by his parents, James E. and Ina Mae Stone Tipton; brother, Keith Tipton; and brother-in-law, Glenn Robinson.

Lyle Tipton was born September 3, 1950, in Lincoln County, TN. Growing up in Elora, TN, Lyle’s parents raised him with faith in the Lord and instilled in him the importance of a strong work ethic, responsibility, and service to others. Lyle and Martha met in high school and were married on March 28, 1970, before they set out on their first adventure together in Altus, OK where Lyle was stationed during his service in the US Air Force. After returning to Lincoln County, Lyle began his career as an educator in the electrical field for 30 years, twenty-nine of which were with Madison County Career Technical Center. He laid the foundation of his trade for many young men who went on to careers as electricians and electrical engineers because of Lyle’s influence. Through Faith and Prayer, Lyle and Martha were blessed with their three children. Lyle worked hard for his family, and at times taught night classes or worked side jobs of wiring houses and businesses to provide for his family and built the beautiful home where they raised their family on Lincoln Road. He led his family in God’s Truth, taught his children how to seek wisdom from the Bible for daily living, and lived his life exemplifying how to love one another in service to his community. While his children were in school Lyle served for 12 years on the Lincoln County School Board and was active in his church. But after his youngest went to college, Lyle became highly active in mission work. His first mission was in disaster relief for Hurricane Katrina and was followed by countless others through Samaritan’s Purse Missions. Lyle was humble in his service, and he offered warm conversation and a dry sense of humor to those he was serving. With his passion for service each new mission trip led Lyle to travel farther away from his home in Tennessee. It was after his first mission trip to Marshall, AK that Lyle continued to feel a calling to go to Alaska. Lyle served on many Alaskan mission trips building churches and community centers including Elim, Kodiak, and Dillingham.

Lyle loved going to “The Last Frontier” and said it felt like home to him because it reminded him of the peaceful pace of life similar to his childhood in Elora. The fishing was pretty good there too. Lyle and Martha set out on their adventure to Alaska on May 1, 2015, where they built their dream home on two acres in Soldotna, AK. They worked tirelessly together for two summers to perfect their cabin. Lyle enjoyed the last six years of his life by living his Alaska dream and traveling back to Tennessee and Alabama to spend time with his children and grandchildren whom he loved with all his heart. His life was full. He had many dear friends from all over. He loved his wife, loved his family, and loved the Lord. He was a good and faithful servant, and he kept the faith. And so it was on his appointed day, feeling tired from his work on this earth, Lyle fell asleep in the home he built with his own hands and opened his eyes to his inheritance in God’s glory.

Memorial donations may be made to Samaritan’s Purse Alaska Projects, PO Box 3000
Boone, NC 28607.

Higgins Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Lyle Warren Tipton.

29 Comments (Open | Close)

29 Comments To "Lyle Warren Tipton"

#1 Comment By Wanda Shelton On February 26, 2022 @ 12:02 pm

I am so very sorry to learn of Mr. Tipton’’s passing. My prayers for his entire family.

#2 Comment By Pam Adams On February 26, 2022 @ 1:33 pm

I had the privilege to work with Lyle at the Tech Center. I am so sorry for the families loss.

#3 Comment By Peggy Towry On February 26, 2022 @ 2:41 pm

Martha and family, sorry for your loss.

#4 Comment By Janette Mckin Askins On February 26, 2022 @ 3:24 pm

Martha, so sorry to hear about your loss. I know Lyle will be greatly missed by you and your family.

#5 Comment By Tom page disabled vet On February 26, 2022 @ 3:54 pm

Lyle helped me àlot.

#6 Comment By Richard Galloway On February 26, 2022 @ 4:38 pm

There was .never a better person in the world. He was a real friend that will always be remembered in our daily life an in our prayers. We are praying for Martha an all the family.

#7 Comment By Janice On February 26, 2022 @ 5:01 pm

Very sorry to learn if lyne passing.
Knew him since high school.
Very good person..
Always friendly.and kind.

#8 Comment By Marcella scott On February 26, 2022 @ 6:12 pm

Sincere sympathy to the family

#9 Comment By Betty Owens On February 26, 2022 @ 6:58 pm

Martha so sorry to hear about the passing of Lyle. I pray for you and your family. May God give you and your family the strength and comfort you need at this time and days ahead.

#10 Comment By Stacy Edwards Reed On February 26, 2022 @ 7:00 pm

Mr. Tipton was my tech teacher in 1984 and 1985!! He was one of the good ones that truly cared about
his students and their well being. Not JUST their education although that was definitely a priority on his list!! I can remember when one of his children were born and he came back to school afterward and was showing us pictures and one of the guys in class said…”Wow, its eyes are already open!!” Mr. Tipton almost passed out from laughing so hard and when he had caught his breath he finally replied “that’s because it’s a baby NOT A PUPPY!!”. We laughed in that for a good long while. He was always concerned with who his students hung out with and talked to b us about seeking put good influences in our lives versus trying to hang out with the “in crowd”! I went back to see him several years after I graduated to let him know his influence and teachings meant a great deal to me and had helped shape me into who I was!! He was a good man and the school could use many more just like him!! RIP Mr.Tipton!!! Thanks from all the idiots in your 83/84 and 84/85 class that you helped to learn there is more to high school than being part of the “in crowd”. Sending up prayers of comfort and peace for the family. I am sure he will be missed greatly!!!

#11 Comment By Judy West On February 26, 2022 @ 8:11 pm

We shared great times camping with Martha and Lyle at Mountain Lakes Campground and Styx River Campground with Lyle’s dry sense of humor not ever knowing if he was serious or kiddlng. He was definitely one of a kind. We loved Lyle and Martha. We pray Martha and their children with receive comfort and peace as only God can provide as they go thru this and in the coming days.
Love and Prayers Judy and Freddy.

#12 Comment By Ann Bonin On February 26, 2022 @ 9:43 pm

My condolences to the Tipton family.
Prayers for all of you.

#13 Comment By Brenda Harshaw On February 26, 2022 @ 11:24 pm

Sorry Martha for your loss Prayers lifted up for you and your family.

#14 Comment By Don and VickySu On February 27, 2022 @ 12:48 am

Lyle and Martha were wonderful friends and neighbors. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Martha and family.
We’ll miss the dry sense of humor and the common sense approach to life.

#15 Comment By Norm Stiles On February 27, 2022 @ 8:51 am

Lyle was a good friend who will be missed greatly. The family is in my prayers always.

#16 Comment By Leroy Sandoval On February 28, 2022 @ 1:54 am

Lyle was a truly Good Friend. His knowledge of the Word of God and his recall of verses, people, and places in the Bible was awe inspiring. Being with Lyle was an adventure; His mind set was helping others and his goodness inspired us to know helping was the right thing to do and you felt good helping. Lyle was also a fun person to be with, it was fun fishing for halibut with Lyle. I only knew Lyle the last 5+ years of his life. I would have loved to have known him for most if not all of his life. The Good News Martha is that Lyle is in Great Hands with His/Our God… waiting for us, and oh what a Celebration That’ll Be!!!

#17 Comment By Jimmy Roberts On February 28, 2022 @ 9:13 am

Lyle Tipton was my Electrical Instructor while he was working one of the Night Jobs listed in his obituary. He taught my 3rd & 4th year Electrical apprenticeship program. Best Electrical instructor ever. I graduated his program and told him I wanted to take the State of Alabama Electrical Contractors Examination, I knew he held this license. He gave me advice on taking the exam and with his guidance I took and passed the exam. In 1992 I went to work as an Electrical Instructor at The Huntsville Center for Technology. Through Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA) later to be renamed SkillsUSA, our students would compete against each other in either Montgomery or Birmingham. The last time I saw Lyle he showed me pictures of three pieces of land in Alaska, he said I am going to purchase one and build my house there, and he did. I am posting this memory from your old office at the Madison County Career Technical Center, where I teach the AM Electrical class (high School) and the 3rd year Electrical Apprenticeship program, where I met you.

Thank you for all the help you gave me.

#18 Comment By Michael Masters On February 28, 2022 @ 2:27 pm

Lyle was truly a gift from God. He will be missed.

#19 Comment By Jeff Nelson On February 28, 2022 @ 6:29 pm

I first met Lyle in Nome Alaska on a Samaritanspurse mission to build a church and youth center where I quickly encountered his dry sense of humor! Yeah Buddy, he was one of a kind! Since that first meeting I’ve had other opportunities to work alongside Lyle in the mission field and I always got a kick out of his authentic personality. As Christian soldiers we will press on but his loss will be felt by many. Up North we will certainly miss Him and the bears in Alaska are now just a little bit safer. Well done Lyle, Godspeed my friend!

#20 Comment By Debbie Morris On March 1, 2022 @ 4:43 am

I’m so sorry for your loss. Praying for all the family. May God give them peace.

#21 Comment By Kay Honey On March 1, 2022 @ 5:09 pm

Martha & Family, We are so sorry for your loss. Prayers for comfort. Anthony & Kay Honey

#22 Comment By Rev. Andrew Carlson On March 2, 2022 @ 1:32 pm

I was blessed to have known Lyle and Martha. They were “honorary” members of Funny River Community Lutheran Church. They were well known and loved by all in Funny River, Alaska. I really enjoyed my visits with them. Looking forward to seeing Lyle again in heaven.

#23 Comment By LARRY STEWART On March 3, 2022 @ 4:12 pm

I have been friends with Lyle for 40 years. He was a very fine christian man. He was highly intelligent and was the best instructor that the Madison Co. Tech School and the Associated Builders and Contractors apprentice program had. Because of his training many apprentices went on to become foreman, superintendent, estimators and project managers in the electrical construction field. many others were highly successful in other areas of the electrical industry. He was sorely missed when he retired from teaching and will be dearly missed by his many friends and students.

#24 Comment By Anne beddingfield On March 3, 2022 @ 4:47 pm

I extend my deepest condolences to you Martha and family. Prayers for peace and comfort

#25 Comment By Mark Campbell On March 4, 2022 @ 7:33 pm

I was a student of Lyle’s back in ‘82-‘84. We never called him Mr. Tipton because if we did he would say “Mr. Tipton is my daddy.” Living nearby to his home in Lincoln I would see him from time to time and he always remained the same. He set me on the path to a long and successful career. I was hoping one day he would take me to Alaska with him. Donna and I express our sincere condolences to Martha and the family.

#26 Comment By Rick Bradford On March 4, 2022 @ 8:15 pm

Lyle taught my son Luke electrical contrrol wiring. Because of Lyles ability to teach Luke was chosen to compete in the Alabama state competetion in Montgomery in which he came in first place. From there he was chosen to compete in the national competetion in Kansas City where he came in 3rd. Lyle and Lukes family was with him all the way. Today Luke is a successful Electrical contractor in Huntsville. Thank you Lyle for all you have done for so many young men in your life in not only teaching them what you knew best but the direction in life that they should strive for.

#27 Comment By Veronica R King On March 8, 2022 @ 9:46 am

Martha, I am so very sorry for your loss. Lyle was a good friend, a jokester😊 and a very kind person. Serving on the school board with him was good. I pray your memories will forever bring you joy.

I was unable to attend the service due to illness, but I will cherish the friendship with you and Lyle for always.
I’ll never forget the invitation to family reunion 😍❤️

Veronica

#28 Comment By Blaine and Donna Thomas On April 24, 2022 @ 6:18 am

Asking for GODS HEALING HAND ON THIS
FAMILY IN THE. LOSS OF THEIR LOVED ONE.
KNOWING HE.IS I N THE ARMS OF GOD.
SENDING LOVE ABD PRAYERS TO ALL OF
YOU. BLESSINGS.

#29 Comment By Roli On August 4, 2023 @ 8:09 am

I just found out about Mr. Tipton yesterday. I was in his electricity class for half of a day my Junior year and most of my Senior year too. During high school he was a big influence in my life. He inspired me to get an electrical engineering degree, and a few months after I got my first engineering job I emailed him. I looked back at that email from fifteen years ago yesterday and again today. I’m thankful to have known him. Boys need a man like Mr. Tipton in their lives.