Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Grandpa Harrison "Harry" May Tippetts





On October 1st, 2011, my grandpa passed from his mortal life after suffering for so long. He was married to his best friend for 68 years, raised 5 children, fought in WWII, and accomplished even more. I think his obituary will do him more justice than I will.


Harrison May “Harry” Tippetts, age 89, of Grants Pass, left his earthly home Saturday, October 1, 2011 at Highland House Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Grants Pass, Oregon.

A viewing will be at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, October 6, 2011 in the Relief Society Room at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center on Williams Highway.

A funeral service will begin at 12:00 p.m., Thursday, October 6, 2011 at the Church Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Stake Center. Interment will be at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, October 6, 2011 at Eagle Point National Cemetery. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made to the Missionary Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Harrison was born July 12, 1922 in Jerome, Idaho to Heber Chase Tippetts and Lucy Melvina (May) Tippetts. He graduated from high school in Glasgow, Montana in 1941. He joined the United States Army Air Corps in 1942 and spent the majority of World War II on the Aleutian Islands of Adak, Shemya, and Amchitka attached to the 11th Bomber Command. On June 5, 1943 in Provo, Utah he married Betty Howe and later they were sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple on November 8, 1944. After the war Harry completed a machinist apprenticeship at the Geneva Steel plant in Provo, Utah. This became his lifelong profession, working at Aeroject General Corporation in Sacramento, California and advanced as an Industrial Engineer with Lockheed Aerospace in Mountain View, California. He worked on the Mercury Space Program and defense missile programs which he much enjoyed. As part of his employment he and his wife Betty spent two years in Greece and had the opportunity to visit the Middle East and Europe. After retirement they enjoyed traveling to every state with their fifth-wheel.

Spending much of his early years in the Rocky Mountain States he greatly enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing with his brothers, cousins and close friends.

Harry is survived by his wife of 68 years, Betty Opal (Howe) Tippetts, children, Barton (Mary), Gaye Wallen (Darrell), Lyle (Gail), and Mark (Pat); 13 grandchildren, Lori (Mike), Jamie, Debbie, Steve, Paul, Sally (Jonathan), Scott (Elizabeth), Brenda, Jennifer, Rachel, Julie (Michael), Rebecca and Joseph, who all were the light of his life; and 17 wonderful great-grandchildren.

Harry was preceded in death by his parents, Heber and Lucy Tippetts; a brother, Frank Tippetts; two sisters, Ruth (Tippetts) Robb and Gladys (Tippetts) Pulley; a daughter, Karen Tippetts; and a granddaughter, Allison Tippetts.


On the evening of October 1st, my father flew into Salt Lake from Pensacola, Florida. On the evening of October 2nd, my father and I started the long 12-14 hour drive from Salt Lake to Grants Pass, OR. We arrived on Monday morning, October 3rd, at 9:30 and were greeted by my dad's older sister, Gaye, and younger brother, Mark. After visiting with them for a few minutes and finishing up the obituary, we headed over to the nursing home to see my grandma which was a bittersweet reunion. She is so strong and just amazes me. After a brief visit, Gaye and I went to the florist to pick out flowers and some other shopping while dad and Mark did some other errands. This was the start of the long process of planning a funeral service.

On Tuesday, October 4th, my dad, Uncle Mark, and I went to the funeral home to finish up some last minute business and drove out to the cemetery to get an idea of where it was located. We also made a stop at the Grants Pass Pharmacy and Ice Cream shop for a sandwich and a chocolate malt. That evening, Gaye, daddy, Mark, ad I kidnapped Grandma from the nursing home and took her to dinner.

On Wenesday, October 5th, Dad, Mark, and I drove out to the cabin that we would all stay at once the rest of the family arrived that evening. Once the family arrived that evening, we had a huge family dinner that was prepared by one of Aunt Gaye's neighbor. After alt of visiting, we decided we better get to bed.

Thursday, October 6th, was the day of the funeral. Daddy, Mark, and Bart woke early that morning and headed to the funeral home to dress Grandpa. The rest of us hurried to get ready and head in to town for the viewing and funeral services. It was a short service with two musical numbers, a eulogy, and some words by my grandparents bishop.

After the services, we made the hour drive from Grants Pass to the Eagle Point National Cemetery in Medford. We had a funeral processional with a police escort which was policy for the city and with no extra charge.

Once at the cemetery, my dad gave some brief words and then dedicated my grandpa's final resting place on this earth. We then had Taps played and then the folding of the flag which was handed to my grandmother. After this short service, we were invited witness the casket being lowered into the grave and interned. This was very interesting to watch but made the passing of my grandpa a reality.

After the funeral services, we headed to ward house and had a luncheon and visited with family and friends and it was obviously a perfect time to take pictures.

Although this was an emotional week, I am grateful that I had the opportunity to attend the funeral and spend time with my extended family and my dad. It was also very special to spend time with my Grandma Tippetts. She is so amazing ad has such a strong testimony. One of my favorite things that she said to me was, "My Heavenly Father loves me so why shouldn't I be happy."

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