Charles Tipton

Charles (Chuck/Will ) Wilburn Tipton died peacefully in his home in Fort Collins, CO early the morning of July 26, 2010. He was born July 11, 1927 in Cora, MO, the son of Charles Raymond and Alice Hannah Clarinda (Wheeler) Tipton. "Wilburn" and Marjorie Bowman were married in 1954. As a newlywed, he worked as a farm hand in Iowa while taking an automobile mechanic correspondence course. After completing his course, he and Marjorie moved to Hammond, IN where he spent most of his adult years. Chuck worked as a mechanic at Highland Motors from 1957 until 1972 and Marcus Auto Leasing from 1972 until his retirement. He and Marjorie raised three children – Tina, Wendi and Dan. Being a devoted father, Chuck spent his evenings and weekends taking them to music lessons and attending every performance, competition and event they were involved in. He also inspired their love for the great outdoors by taking them on many outings to the Indiana Dunes Beach and State Park and camping trips to Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks as well as many other spectacular places. Chuck took up running in his 50's and was able to compete in hundreds of road races in the Northwest Indiana area along with eight Chicago Marathons , the first at age 59. He greatly enjoyed his fellow runners in the Calumet Striders Running Club. In 1995 Chuck retired and he and Marjorie divorced. Chuck moved to Fort Collins, CO in January of 1996 to enjoy his beloved mountains. He also loved baseball and, although he learned to enjoy the Colorado Rockies, he remained an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. Chuck is survived by daughters Tina L Evans of Fort Collins, CO and Wendi L Tipton of Walla Walla, WA; son & daughter-in-law Daniel C Tipton and Kimberly L (Starzak) Tipton of Crystal Lake, IL; grandchildren Henry Michael and Dailey June Tipton of Crystal Lake and many nieces and nephews. Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Mary Alice Dewitt and Ramah (Totsie) Salisbury, and brother John Tipton. At Chuck's request, there will be no memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Pathways Hospice, 305 Carpenter Road, Fort Collins, CO 80525.