Frederick Lee Tippett, 73, passed away on Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Statesville, N.C. He was born on September 4, 1950, in Durham, N.C., to the late C.E. “Tip” Tippett and Dorothy Fonville Tippett.
In 1968, Fred began attending Mars Hill College, where he met Miss Susan Watts, his wife of 51 years, during their first week of school.
After graduating in 1972, with a degree in Physical Education, he went on to work for YMCA and Frito-Lay, but it wasn’t until he started working at LIFESPAN Enrichment Services that he found his passion for working with adults with special needs as a teacher. He was also a member of Western Avenue Baptist Church since 1984.
For over 54 years, Fred coached youth sports and served as a sports official. He officiated games and events for a variety of sports of every skill level. He was well-known throughout Iredell County, and surrounding counties, for officiating local school sporting events.
He volunteered for 31 years with Special Olympics of Iredell County, officiating events in Track & Field, Bowling, and Bocce. In 1999, he was proud to serve as a soccer official for the Special Olympics World Games in Raleigh.
Fred, who was known as “Papa Tip,” most loved to spend time with his family, especially having fun with his nine grandchildren. He was also a devoted Duke fan, had a great sense of humor, and enjoyed growing plants and flowers.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy Tippett, in 1952, and Tip and Doris Maynor Tippett; and brother, Jim Tippett.
He is survived by his wife, Susan Tippett; sons, Greg Tippett (Angela), of Jonesville, N.C., Jeff Tippett (Meaghan), of Lewisville, N.C., and Brad Tippett (Amanda), of Richmond, Va.; grandchildren, Cameron Snyder, Logan Brennan, Kaitlyn Tippett, Paisley Tippett, London Tippett, Brayden Tippett, Tagen Tippett, Emerson Tippett, and Gibson Tippett; brother, Donnie Tippett Sr.; sister, Carolyn Walker; and sister-in-law, Deborah Tippett. He is also survived by 12 nieces and nephews, and numerous cousins.
Visitation will be held on Monday, April 8, 2024, from 1 until 2 p.m. at Western Avenue Baptist Church. The funeral service for Mr. Tippett will follow at 2 p.m. with Pastor Andy Lackey officiating. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Tippett’s memory may be made to Special Olympics North Carolina – Iredell County, PO Box 1111, Statesville, NC 28687.
Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is honored to serve the Tippett family.
Mr. Tippett was a fixture in youth sports during my childhood. He was a nice man who touched many young lives.
It was always good to see Fred on the side lines at the Statesville Soccer Complex. He also took care of my Uncle Gywn at Life Span for many years . RIP
A very long time ago, there was a youth soccer tournament called The Iredell Fall Classic. When asked to referee for this and every tournament I was a part of, Fred Tippett always said “yes.” Now he has a new tournament to referee.
RIP❤️