Thomas Robert Tipton

Thomas Robert Tipton, 59, Topeka, gave up his fight to lung cancer on February 26, 2011.
Tom was born May 30, 1951 in Topeka, the son of Robert Leroy and Marian Irene (Miller) Tipton. He graduated from Seaman High School in 1969 and served in the Marine Reserve. He worked at Goodyear for 40 years and was a member of Local 307 United Steelworkers, retiring in 2009.
On September 29, 1973, Tom married Erika May Wanke, with whom he fathered two daughters; Lisa Marie and Karen Ann. He is also survived by a grandson, Zack Nitcher; brother, Mike (Ruthie) Tipton; sister, Jill Tipton-Bell, all of Topeka; along with numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, inlaws and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents.
His interest included emergency radio communications, storm spotting, gun and hunter safety, cruising in his Corvette, playing Freecell, watching television and spending time with his grandson. He was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church, Topeka Corvette Club, and ARES.
Visitation will be from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 3, 2011 at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence. Private family inurnment will be at a later date.
Donations may be made to the Tom Tipton Memorial Fund, c/o Calvary Lutheran Church, 4211 NW Topeka Avenue, Topeka, Kansas 66617 or Midland Care Hospice Services, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, Kansas 66606.