Jim Tipton, age 88, a longtime resident of Southwest Oklahoma, passed away Sunday, August 27, 2017 at his daughter's home in Altus. Jim was born in a half dugout home near Vinson, Oklahoma on January 23, 1929 to his parents Glen and Bessie Mae Tipton.

He attended country schools in the Vinson area. He served his country in the United States Army from 1952 to 1954 during the Korean War. He served an additional six years in the Army Reserve and received an honorable discharge for his service. In 1954 Jim married the love of his life Betty Mixon and they enjoyed 43 years of marriage together until her death in 1997. Jim attended auto mechanic trade school in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He lived and worked in several places before he and Betty settled in Mangum where they raised their family. He took pride in his work running the Kerr McGee and Texaco gas stations in town. The latter part of his career was spent working for the city of Mangum with the Water and Gas Department. Jim proudly served the city of Mangum as a police officer and as the Chief of Police for many years before his retirement in 1992. Jim was active with numerous civic organizations including the Mangum Mounties, the Lions Club and the American Legion. He was a faithful member of the Mangum Church of the Nazarene where he served in many roles including Sunday School Superintendent for over 60 years. Jim worked tirelessly to build the church both physically and spiritually. Jim enjoyed riding his horses in play days and rodeos. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with friends and relatives. His favorite pastime was watching the OU Sooners and the Dallas Cowboys. He loved his family and treasured time spent with his grandchildren.

Preceded in death by his wife Betty Tipton; his parents Glen G. and Bessie Mae Tipton; three brothers, Otha Lee Tipton; Frank Tipton; and John Tipton; three sisters, Mary Jane Tipton; Linda Fern Tipton; and Ruby Mae Hudson; and one granddaughter, Misty Dawn Tipton.

Jim is survived by four children, Jimmy Wesley of Oklahoma City; Melissa Kaye Tipton of Mangum; Melinda Ann Thurmond and husband Jason of Altus; and William David Tipton and wife Wendy of Granbury, Texas; three sisters, Edna Frances Davis and husband Truman of Yukon, Oklahoma; Faye Rene Cotton and husband Emory of Oklahoma City; Beverly Farley and husband Dave of Grove, Oklahoma; eleven grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and one the way; as well as numerous nieces and nephews; other family members; and many friends.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday at the Mangum Church of the Nazarene with Earl Mixon and Pastor Nathan McGee officiating. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Mangum with military honors rendered by the United States Army.