Coach Kermit Tipton

Kermit Tipton, 90, 1505 Robinhood Lane, Johnson City passed away Sunday, March 29, 2012 in the Asbury Place of Johnson City. He was a native of Carter County but had lived in Johnson City most of his life. Coach Tipton was a son of the late John and Elizabeth Barnett Tipton. He attended Clark Street Baptist Church. Coach Tipton attended Junior High and Science Hill High School and graduated in 1941, where he was the football quarterback earning an academic scholarship to Milligan College, where he was wingback on the 1942 undefeated team. Coach Tipton enlisted in the Army in 1943 and served in Italy as Staff Sergeant at the Allied Force Headquarters. In 1946 Coach Tipton returned to Milligan College where he became captain of the baseball team during his junior and senior years and graduated in 1948 with a Bachelor of Education degree. In 1949, Coach Tipton began a coaching career at Lamar High School during which he coached girl's and boy's basketball, the football team and the baseball team. Coach Tipton pursued his Master's Degree in Education in 1953 at the University of Mississippi and graduated in 1955 at which time he became coach at Johnson City Junior High School. From 1956 until 1966 he was head football coach at Science Hill High School and his 1965 team was undefeated. From 1967 to 1981 Coach Tipton was principal at Johnson City Junior High and Independence Hall Junior High. In addition to his parents Coach Tipton was preceded in death by two brothers, Jay and Ivan Tipton. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Grafton Tipton; a son Jonathan Tipton of Johnson City; a daughter, Amy Tipton Cortner and her husband David of North Carolina; a sister-in-law, Margaret Hancock of Jonesborough; a cousin, Charles Barnett and his wife, Wilma of Johnson City. Coach Tipton's body will lie in state at the funeral home Wednesday, May 2, 2012 from 11:00 AM until 5:00 PM where friends may pay their respects. There will be a private family service held at a later date in the Monte Vista Memorial Park. Honorary pallbearers will be all of Coach Tipton's former players, teammates and fellow coaches. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorials be made to the Kermit Tipton Football Scholarship Fund, C/O Science Hill High School, 1509 John Exum Parkway, Johnson City, TN 37604. Visitation: Wednesday ~ May 2 2012 ~ 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM Services: Interment: Private Family Graveside ServiceNRead Obituary