In February 1982, Tony met his future wife, Marcia “Marty” while on a blind date and on June 26, 1982, they were married, blending their two families. Tony was an insurance agent for 40 years and owner of Tipton Insurance with Nationwide. He retired in 2008. He was a member for 30 years of Grace Brethren Church in Owings, MD where he was involved with many ministries. One of his favorites was playing a Roman Soldier in the Easter musicals.
In retirement he and Marty moved to Little River, SC.
Tony’s testimony speaks of the Word given to him by the Gideon Bible found in a bedside table. His
devotion to the Lord was carried out and taught to others throughout his life. He was a member of Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church, where he was an Elder, worked in Hopes Kitchen, Angel Tree, Vacation Bible School, and doing “anything the church needs.” He was also very active in Access Youth where he was a small group leader with the teen boys.
Always having a love of the beach, Tony and Marty moved from Little River and God blessed them with a condominium directly on the ocean. They enjoyed their daily walks on the shore taking in the beautiful scenery and peace of the water. Tony also enjoyed scuba diving, was an avid reader, and a stamp collector. He was a Gideon for 16 years and was a speaker for Gideon Church presentations where he shared his testimony of how a Gideon Bible in a hotel room saved his life. He was passionate about Hotel Bible distributions with the Gideons. He found happiness in anything that he and Marty did together, especially ministry, cruising and travel and any where they could share a Gideon’s Bible.
Tony’s life verse is: Proverbs 30:5
"Every word of God is true. He is a shield to those who put their trust in him."
Tony’s last moments were spent on his way to church to help with the year end celebration of Youth Access.
Surviving in addition to his wife, Marty, are children: Anthony Richard “Ricky” Tipton, Jr.
(Freda), James “Jamie” Tipton (Lynn Sadler), Jason Fallin (Erika), Tara Gornik (Brian), and
William Christopher “Chris” Tipton. He is also survived by ten grandchildren: Ashlee, Haley,
Katie, Kasey, Malachi, Elijah, Zeke, Orion, Maddie, and Laney; as well as his sister, Ann Davidson.
The funeral will be held at Ocean Drive Presbyterian, 410 6th Ave South, North Myrtle Beach, SC on Monday June 20th at 2PM with reception to follow.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorials to be made to Gideon’s International.
Please share memories and condolences at www.leefhandcrematory.com.
