Mr. James "Jim" Tipton

James Sylvester Tipton, 82, of Murray, passed away on Sunday, November 19, after a heartbreaking 2^nd battle with cancer.  If you knew Jim, you were one of the lucky ones.  His resilience, generosity of spirit, sense of humor, story-telling, and unwavering moral compass were unsurpassed.  It was a true blessing to be the recipient of his love and friendship.

Jim was born on March 6, 1941, to Robert and Hazel (Muncie) Tipton in Ravenna, KY.  Jim was the oldest of 6 children who were separated and put into foster care shortly after the death of their father in 1953.  Life was not easy but through his strength of character and faith in God, he created a better life, and had a long and successful career as the meat manager at Kroger.

Family was of utmost importance to Jim.  In his early life, he took care of three of his younger siblings, and never stopped searching for his youngest sister and brother, ultimately reuniting with all five in 1988.  He and his first wife, Pam, created their own family and were blessed with a son James (Jimmie), and daughter Trina.  Sadly, cancer also took Pam in 2002, and then Trina in 2011.  In addition to Pam and Trina, Jim is preceded in death by his brother Donnie.

Love came again late in life when he met and married Monika Walston in 2014 and gained a second family who also loved him dearly.

He is survived by his loving wife, Monika, son James (Tim O’Rourke), Grandson Grant Allen, brothers Charles Tipton, and Len (Paige) Fossett, sisters Lucille (Bobby) Bradley, Rosa Lee Rice, Debbie McKnought, and bonus daughters Heather Broadway (Ricky Ivy), and Holly (Dennis) Brandsasse, and, grandchildren Hope Versteegh, Bo Broadway, and Roger Jones, and many extended family, friends, and his Christian Fellowship church family. 

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 25, 2023, at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services with Rev. Richie Clendenon officiating with Burial to follow in the Murray City Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Friday, November 24, 2023, at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

The family requests that expressions of sympathy be made to the Marcellas Kitchen, 868 Guy Mathis Drive, Benton, Kentucky 42025.

Online condolences can be made at, www.jhchurchill.com