David C. Tippet, 102, longtime Postmaster of Parsons, passed away at 4:01 p.m., Monday, May 16, 2016 at his home.
He was born November 30, 1913 in Gildford, Montana to Lawrence and Grace (Staley) Tippet. At the age of 5, David moved with his family to The Dalles, Oregon. He graduated from Dufur High School in 1932.
During the depression, he rode the rails looking for a job and prospected for gold in California on the Yuba River. In 1935, he moved to Parsons where he attended Parsons Junior College and played on the football team for two years where he was fondly known as "Tiger Tippet." He then worked at the St. Paul Journal for two years before working from 1939 through 1941 at Commercial Publishers in Parsons.
In December of 1941, he joined the United States Marines and served during World War II in Guadalcanal. Upon his honorable discharge in October 1944, he resided in California.
On February 22, 1945, he married Virginia L. (Toni ) Rose in Yuma, Arizona.
After marriage, the couple moved to Los Angeles, California where he worked at the Los Angeles Times. In 1948, the couple returned to Parsons where they purchased The Parsons News which he and his wife published for over 50 years. The two spent the rest of their lives in Parsons together, raising 11 children and doting on the many grandchildren whom they loved very deeply. David especially enjoyed spending time with his family and delighted in being actively involved in his grandchildren's lives. He could often be found on the porch of his iconic main street home, fly swatter in his hand, or playing cards with his sons and daughters at the kitchen table, or making silly faces at one of the many babies crawling around his living room floor.
In 1962, David was the last Postmaster appointed by President John F. Kennedy. He continued working for the United States Postal Service until his retirement in 1984.
He was a member of the Christian Science Church in Parsons. He was an avid writer and enjoyed playing cards, farming, working cattle and horses, and an occasional trip to the casino or race track. David was a longtime member of the Democratic Party and the Elks – BPOE Lodge No. 527 in Parsons. He is remembered as the beloved patriarch of the Tippet Clan, who are thankful and blessed for the many years of smiles he brought to the family he adored.
Survivors include:
Four Sons – Casey Tippet and his wife, Pam Sallisaw, OK
David L. Tippet Houston, TX
Tracey Tippet Parsons, KS
Jon Tippet Houston, TX
Five Daughters – Michele St. Clair and her husband, Gary Parsons, KS
Patti Nutt and her husband, Steve Lee's Summit, MO
Janie Tippet and her life partner Pat Babinski Manhattan, KS
Kelley Fowler and her husband, Lee Cottonwood Falls, KS
Marcé Modica and her husband, Jerry Olathe, KS
Nineteen Grandchildren
Fifteen Great-Grandchildren
Four Great-Great-Grandchildren
One Brother – Richard Oakes and his wife, Louise Pittsburg, Ks
Numerous Nieces and Nephews
He was preceded in death by his wife, Toni Tippet, on May 14, 1997; one son, Clark Tippet; one daughter, Christine Cooper; one grandchild, two great-grandchildren, one brother, Paul Staley Tippet; and one sister, Vineta Mae Test.
Following cremation, the family will hold a private memorial service at a future date.
Memorials are suggested to the Labette Community College Foundation for the Toni Tippet Endowed Scholarship Fund. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.
Online condolences may be left at http://www.forbeshoffman.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of David C. Tippet, please visit our flower store.
He was born November 30, 1913 in Gildford, Montana to Lawrence and Grace (Staley) Tippet. At the age of 5, David moved with his family to The Dalles, Oregon. He graduated from Dufur High School in 1932.
During the depression, he rode the rails looking for a job and prospected for gold in California on the Yuba River. In 1935, he moved to Parsons where he attended Parsons Junior College and played on the football team for two years where he was fondly known as "Tiger Tippet." He then worked at the St. Paul Journal for two years before working from 1939 through 1941 at Commercial Publishers in Parsons.
In December of 1941, he joined the United States Marines and served during World War II in Guadalcanal. Upon his honorable discharge in October 1944, he resided in California.
On February 22, 1945, he married Virginia L. (Toni ) Rose in Yuma, Arizona.
After marriage, the couple moved to Los Angeles, California where he worked at the Los Angeles Times. In 1948, the couple returned to Parsons where they purchased The Parsons News which he and his wife published for over 50 years. The two spent the rest of their lives in Parsons together, raising 11 children and doting on the many grandchildren whom they loved very deeply. David especially enjoyed spending time with his family and delighted in being actively involved in his grandchildren's lives. He could often be found on the porch of his iconic main street home, fly swatter in his hand, or playing cards with his sons and daughters at the kitchen table, or making silly faces at one of the many babies crawling around his living room floor.
In 1962, David was the last Postmaster appointed by President John F. Kennedy. He continued working for the United States Postal Service until his retirement in 1984.
He was a member of the Christian Science Church in Parsons. He was an avid writer and enjoyed playing cards, farming, working cattle and horses, and an occasional trip to the casino or race track. David was a longtime member of the Democratic Party and the Elks – BPOE Lodge No. 527 in Parsons. He is remembered as the beloved patriarch of the Tippet Clan, who are thankful and blessed for the many years of smiles he brought to the family he adored.
Survivors include:
Four Sons – Casey Tippet and his wife, Pam Sallisaw, OK
David L. Tippet Houston, TX
Tracey Tippet Parsons, KS
Jon Tippet Houston, TX
Five Daughters – Michele St. Clair and her husband, Gary Parsons, KS
Patti Nutt and her husband, Steve Lee's Summit, MO
Janie Tippet and her life partner Pat Babinski Manhattan, KS
Kelley Fowler and her husband, Lee Cottonwood Falls, KS
Marcé Modica and her husband, Jerry Olathe, KS
Nineteen Grandchildren
Fifteen Great-Grandchildren
Four Great-Great-Grandchildren
One Brother – Richard Oakes and his wife, Louise Pittsburg, Ks
Numerous Nieces and Nephews
He was preceded in death by his wife, Toni Tippet, on May 14, 1997; one son, Clark Tippet; one daughter, Christine Cooper; one grandchild, two great-grandchildren, one brother, Paul Staley Tippet; and one sister, Vineta Mae Test.
Following cremation, the family will hold a private memorial service at a future date.
Memorials are suggested to the Labette Community College Foundation for the Toni Tippet Endowed Scholarship Fund. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.
Online condolences may be left at http://www.forbeshoffman.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of David C. Tippet, please visit our flower store.
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