Spartanburg – Harold Eugene “Gene” Tipton, 86, died Tuesday, October 11, 2016.  Mr. Tipton was the husband of Yvonne Sheehan Tipton for 66 years.  He was the son of the late William McKinley Tipton and the late Annie Allen Tipton.

            Mr. Tipton graduated from Cecil’s Business College and worked for Life of Georgia Insurance Co. and Firestone Steel.  He served two tours of duty in the Korean Conflict as a Corporal in the U. S. Marines.  He never met a stranger and truly loved and cared for his family.  He was a charter member of Whitney Free Will Baptist Church where he remained a member.  He was the superintendent of the Free Will Baptist Children’s Home in Turbeville, SC.

            In addition to his wife he is survived by three sons, Steve Tipton and his wife Teresa Ann, Rick Tipton and his wife Elizabeth, and Paul Tipton; one daughter, Regina T. Barber and her husband Calvin; three grandchildren, Steven Barber and his wife Kristen Burnett Barber, Ricky Tipton, Jr. and his wife Kerri, and Tara Yvonne Tipton Abel and her husband Steve; and eight great-grandchildren, Sawyer Tipton, Cosette Tipton, Janie Pendley, Anna McKinley Barber, Luke Andrew Barber, Lilly Abel, Emily Abel, and Caroline Abel.

            Visitation will be 1:00 p.m., Thursday, October 13, 2016 at Whitney Free Will Baptist Church followed by services at 2:00 p.m. officiated by Rev. James Childers and Rev. Chris Conner.  Interment will be in the Whitney Free Will Baptist Church Cemetery.

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