James Grover Tippitt

James Grover Tippitt, age 76, left this world when he went home to be with Jesus and a host of family and friends that went before him on April 26th, 2024. James was born on a beautiful sunny day, June 8^th, 1947, to George and Nettie Tippitt, in the quaint town of Holladay, Tennessee. Surrounded by brothers, sisters, creeks, and hills, James grew up on a farm with plenty of chores, plenty of love, and more than enough good fun. He graduated from Holladay High School amid the glorious 60’s, 1966, to be precise. He attended Austin Peay State University and worked as a valued insurance salesman to many families in this community before becoming a chemical technician with TVA, from which he retired in 2008. No stranger to hard work, you’d likely never find James sitting down for he knew there was always work to be done. He didn’t wait to be asked, he just saw and accomplished what was needed.

He met the only girl he’d ever love, Sue Carol Hargis, who survives him, while in college. Knowing he had caught the eye of the most beautiful gal Camden, Tennessee had ever produced, he had the good sense to marry her in October of 1966 and build a beautiful family of their own. This family includes two surviving sons, Mike (Melanie) Tippitt and Jason Roylee Tippitt, for whom he strove to be the best example of a good man and provider for his family. Two surviving grandchildren, Logan (LeAnna) Tippitt and Caroline (Tab) Collins for whom the word ‘no’ scarcely ever passed his lips. Caroline surely took that opportunity to the stratosphere with her many requests of her ‘best pal’. You want to build a zipline on your tree house? Sure! You need to be pulled in a wheelbarrow through the Dark Forest over and over?  No problem! And when it was time to get out the grill, Grandpa’s little shadow was Logan, ready to help Grandpa do the cooking, a pastime he loves to this day. He passed up no opportunities to sit down with his grandbabies and read. Any book, any time. You want me to read Possum Come a Knockin’ for the 50^th time, in a row, in one night? You got it! Grandpa may have been his favorite title and certainly was the one at which he most excelled, as getting up to mischief with his grandbabies was his very favorite pastime. He was blessed to have two great granddaughters, who survive, Fiona and Meredith Tippitt, and while his illness didn’t allow for walks through the Dark Forest with these precious babies, he spent many days playing, laughing, and ‘putting his wing in, Grandpa!’ per Fiona’s directions as he learned dance along songs like the Turkey Pokey. He cuddled his great grands to the last days in the hospital bed beside him. Grandpa was so loved by all his grands, great grands, and grands-in-law that ownership of Grandpa was always in question, ‘He’s my Grandpa’, ‘No, he’s MY Grandpa!’. He was everyone’s beloved Grandpa.

He is also survived by sisters Melba Timbs and Jewell (Len) Lundgren, brother Charles (Sue Anne) Tippitt, daughter-in-law Rhonda Tippitt, many loving and loved nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law Betty Tippitt and Ruth Tippitt, Melanie’s children Jacqui (Tim) Brandow, Randy (Kristie) Murvine, Jordan and Shandon Means, and Ethan Murvine. He was preceded in death by his parents George and Nettie Tippitt, sisters Christiana Tippitt, Linda Mae Tippitt, and Brownie Hatley, and brothers Aubrey, Ralph, and Lester Tippitt, who will be on hand to welcome him to his heavenly home.

James wasn’t just a great family man, he believed in community and served in various capacities over the years both in church, where he was a faithful member of Prospect General Baptist Church and as a Boy Scout Leader to dozens of boys over the years. James last battle with ALS was won as he entered the gates of heaven, and the family would be remiss if they didn’t mention how much they love and appreciate the Gentiva Hospice workers that cared for James these last few years. They were more like family and lived the Hospice mission in their work. In lieu of flowers, the family would love for you to donate to the National ALS Foundation in his name to continue to fund research and support for those living with ALS. James’s graveside service will be held tomorrow, Saturday, April 27^th, at 5 p.m. at Liberty Methodist Cemetery.