Obituary of Harold H. Tipton

Age 89, formerly of Roseburg, Oregon, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008 in Kent, Washington surrounded by family. Born in Drewsey, Oregon on July 23, 1919 to John and Amanda (Mueller) Tipton, he was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, worked for Roseburg Lumber as a diesel mechanic for 24 years, was a 36-year member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and a brother of the Lumber & Sawmill Workers Union Local 2949 for over 50 years. His pastimes included fishing, boating, gardening with his wife and walking around his neighborhood for exercise. For 10 years after he retired he occupied his time attempting to invent a vapor carburetor in order to save gasoline; he was definitely a man before his time. In 1972 he rekindled a romance that rumor has it began with a woman he'd met as she was departing WWII and he was just beginning his service in the Korean war, some 25 years earlier. They both went on to marry other spouses, both of whom widowed them due to cancer. After a mutual friend wrote both of them that she'd been in contact with the other, they dated a short time and married merely months later. In 2002, he was preceded in passing by this beloved wife of 29 years, Josefa Tipton, and is survived by her children: Joan Graves of Hillsboro, Oregon, Monte (Kathy) Huwe of Portland, Oregon, Marlys (Dirk) Powell of Kent, Washington, and Ruth Huwe of Seattle, Washington, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is also predeceased by his parents, sister Joy, and brother John Tipton, who both also passed away in 2002, and brother Orville Rorabaugh. He is survived by his sister, Olive Pierce of Payette, Idaho, five nieces and their descendants. Harold's final entombment is at Roseburg Memorial Gardens. His life will be celebrated at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Roseburg, Oregon, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009 at 3 p.m. with the Reverend Dale Heinlein officiating. Arrangements are by Piper, Morley, Mellinger Funeral Home, Tacoma, Washington.