It is with regret that we announce the passing of Mr. Lyle Warren Tipton, age 71, of Soldotna, Alaska formerly of Fayetteville, TN. A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, March 5, 2022, at Park City Baptist Church with Bro. Don Russell and Bro. Benny Berry officiating. Burial will follow in Lincoln Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 5 pm to 8 pm on Friday, March 4, 2022, at Higgins Funeral Home. Lyle passed away on February 22, 2022, at his residence.
Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Martha Amos Tipton; children, Heather Faith (Daniel) McNeely of Johnson City, TN, Adam Lyle (Katie) Tipton of Murfreesboro, TN, and Kara Elizabeth (Colby) Malone of Huntsville, AL; grandchildren, Reid McNeely, Kyle McNeely, Luke McNeely, Kaylee Belle Malone, Aubrey Kate Tipton, and Collier Malone; sisters, Judy Robinson, and Cathy (Wayne) Thornton; and several nieces and nephews. Lyle was preceded in death by his parents, James E. and Ina Mae Stone Tipton; brother, Keith Tipton; and brother-in-law, Glenn Robinson.
Lyle Tipton was born September 3, 1950, in Lincoln County, TN. Growing up in Elora, TN, Lyle’s parents raised him with faith in the Lord and instilled in him the importance of a strong work ethic, responsibility, and service to others. Lyle and Martha met in high school and were married on March 28, 1970, before they set out on their first adventure together in Altus, OK where Lyle was stationed during his service in the US Air Force. After returning to Lincoln County, Lyle began his career as an educator in the electrical field for 30 years, twenty-nine of which were with Madison County Career Technical Center. He laid the foundation of his trade for many young men who went on to careers as electricians and electrical engineers because of Lyle’s influence. Through Faith and Prayer, Lyle and Martha were blessed with their three children. Lyle worked hard for his family, and at times taught night classes or worked side jobs of wiring houses and businesses to provide for his family and built the beautiful home where they raised their family on Lincoln Road. He led his family in God’s Truth, taught his children how to seek wisdom from the Bible for daily living, and lived his life exemplifying how to love one another in service to his community. While his children were in school Lyle served for 12 years on the Lincoln County School Board and was active in his church. But after his youngest went to college, Lyle became highly active in mission work. His first mission was in disaster relief for Hurricane Katrina and was followed by countless others through Samaritan’s Purse Missions. Lyle was humble in his service, and he offered warm conversation and a dry sense of humor to those he was serving. With his passion for service each new mission trip led Lyle to travel farther away from his home in Tennessee. It was after his first mission trip to Marshall, AK that Lyle continued to feel a calling to go to Alaska. Lyle served on many Alaskan mission trips building churches and community centers including Elim, Kodiak, and Dillingham.
Lyle loved going to “The Last Frontier” and said it felt like home to him because it reminded him of the peaceful pace of life similar to his childhood in Elora. The fishing was pretty good there too. Lyle and Martha set out on their adventure to Alaska on May 1, 2015, where they built their dream home on two acres in Soldotna, AK. They worked tirelessly together for two summers to perfect their cabin. Lyle enjoyed the last six years of his life by living his Alaska dream and traveling back to Tennessee and Alabama to spend time with his children and grandchildren whom he loved with all his heart. His life was full. He had many dear friends from all over. He loved his wife, loved his family, and loved the Lord. He was a good and faithful servant, and he kept the faith. And so it was on his appointed day, feeling tired from his work on this earth, Lyle fell asleep in the home he built with his own hands and opened his eyes to his inheritance in God’s glory.
Memorial donations may be made to Samaritan’s Purse Alaska Projects, PO Box 3000
Boone, NC 28607.
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Lyle Warren Tipton.
