There are teachers in just about every branch of my family tree, but some of my earliest and most important lessons came from Opa. He taught sometimes with words but always with action, always by example.

He taught me about responsibility - not just attending to my obligations, not just standing by my commitments, but owning my actions. He was a man of his word, probably a little stubborn for it, but he followed through. He never gave up. Anytime I admit to a mistake or shortcoming, anytime I work through the night or wake up early, anytime I keep a promise, that's Opa. He gave me that sense of honor.

He gave me confidence. There was a time, and sometimes there still is, when self-doubt would get the better of me. I didn't believe in myself, but he believed in me. For a long time, Opa had trouble talking and being understood, but still he taught me to speak clearly and with conviction. Whenever I make a joke or ask for help, whenever I feel comfortable just being myself, whenever I speak more loudly than the muffled tones of my adolescence, that's because of Opa. He gave me that courage.

He showed me the importance of family. There was nothing he enjoyed more, as far as I could tell, than having family at his dinner table. Even when he had trouble eating, he still cooked for us, whether he was feeding two people or twenty. He was happy just to be near. That's Opa. He gave me that love. He gave all of us that love, proudly and unconditionally.

Fred Rogers once wrote, "There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person." I think Opa left a lot of himself--his values, his wisdom, and his love--with us. And we all left some of ourselves with him.

We'll miss him.

He was my Opa. I loved and love him dearly. I know that he is in Heaven having a blast. I miss him, but God needed him in Heaven more than he needed him here. Opa I love you and will see you again. Please tell Uncle Pat that I love him and miss him also. 

                                                       Love your oldest grand daughter,
                                                                 Diana

My dad has always been my hero growing up and one of my biggest supporters throughout my life.  And I wanted to read a poem about the bond daughters have for their fathers.

The bond between father and daughter happens instantly, starting right at birth. When a father first lays eyes on his little girl he loves her more than anything on this earth.  When a daughter grows older her father is the first man she will love, and the last on her father will have trouble letting go of.  In her eyes he is the closest thing to God, in her eyes he is a King.  To her father she means the world, she means everything.  When a daughter grows up to be an adult and mature, her father will always be there any time she still needs dad to help her, to give her advice or just for anything she will ever need.  The bond between father and daughter is the most important bond indeed, it cannot be broken when she finds a man, and becoming his wife.  It cannot be broken even in the ending of either one's life.  A daughter will always have the memories of her father, her best friend.  This bond has a beginning, but there is never an end.  The bond between a father and daughter is so profound the love shared is well renowned.  From the beginning of his daughters life, he is a changed man, at that moment his life really just began.  From the moment their eyes meet two souls instantly become complete.

I read a quote once that said "The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example.  My dad was that man, you can see the example of my dad in my brother, my sisters, and myself. In our kids and in my granddaughter and my great nephew. My mom and dad have always been there for me throughout my life and losing my dad is one of the saddest moments in my life.  Thank you.

My dad has always been my hero growing up and one of my biggest supporters throughout my life.  And I wanted to read a poem about the bond daughters have for their fathers.

The bond between father and daughter happens instantly, starting right at birth. When a father first lays eyes on his little girl he loves her more than anything on this earth.  When a daughter grows older her father is the first man she will love, and the last on her father will have trouble letting go of.  In her eyes he is the closest thing to God, in her eyes he is a King.  To her father she means the world, she means everything.  When a daughter grows up to be an adult and mature, her father will always be there any time she still needs dad to help her, to give her advice or just for anything she will ever need.  The bond between father and daughter is the most important bond indeed, it cannot be broken when she finds a man, and becoming his wife.  It cannot be broken even in the ending of either one's life.  A daughter will always have the memories of her father, her best friend.  This bond has a beginning, but there is never an end.  The bond between a father and daughter is so profound the love shared is well renowned.  From the beginning of his daughters life, he is a changed man, at that moment his life really just began.  From the moment their eyes meet two souls instantly become complete.

I read a quote once that said "The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example.  My dad is that man, you can see the example of my dad in my brother, my sisters, and myself. In our kids and in my granddaughter and my great nephew. My mom and dad have always been there for me throughout my life and losing dad is one of the saddest moments in my life.  Thank you.

The day after I lost my Opa, we all gathered at Omie's. I took a moment and sit in his "man cave" and soak in everything "Opa" about the room, untouched for probably the last time. 

As I looked around, I noticed that he had left a bible with a bookmark on an empty shelf in a book case. I opened the bible and began to read. He had marked John 16. Beginning with John 16:16 it said; Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”

17 At this, some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,' and ‘Because I am going to the Father'?” 18 They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while'? We don't understand what he is saying.”

19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me'? 20 Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. 23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

It was immediately clear to me that he left it behind to provide a sense of peace to whomever found it. He wanted to remind us that we will see him again. 

He was the most amazing, inspirational man I've ever known and my world is a better place because of the major role he played in it.I never wanted him to go but I am so appreciative of all the time I got to spend with him, even the day before he left us. No words or other worldly comforts will ever heal the deep would that we are all feeling right now, but by coming together as a family we can take it one day at a time. I love you all.

How does anyone ever say goodbye to the first man they ever loved?  A man that was the beginning and end of your whole world? Only with great sorrow and faith in God.  And belief in his timing tho'you may not understand.  It's doesn't seem possible because the world didn't stop spinning the sun still came up, just not with our Dad on this side.  My Dad died.  If not for my family and their strengths collectively only a part of me died.  Even tho' the wound is not fatal I will never recover.  I will always keep my Dad in my heart and will never let him be forgotten. And I will rejoice in his life and be thankful for the life he shared with us.  God speed Daddy, I know you never did like long goodbyes.  We will all miss MJ Tippie he was part of us.  Thanks Dad for showing us the way.  May your memory live on. 
Hups you, Daddy.

Good morning.  M J Tippie was my father, and much more than that he was my hero and role model.  Big surprise there, huh?  I had the honor of having Dad pin my Sergeant Major rank on me when I was promoted in June.  My parents were married for 60 years, an accomplishment that is rare these days.  It wasn't always easy but nothing worthwhile ever is.  My parents worked hard as a team to provide for us kids, and as time went on for their grandkids and great grandkids.
One thing my Dad taught us was hard work.  Dad worked from a young age and from the beginning took care of others, initially his parents with this continuing even after my parents married and started their own family.  Dad would go to any school in the military to try to earn another rank to better support his family, to include Airborne school with my Dad being the "old man" of the class.  Airborne status brought additional pay, so much so that after one jump and Dad had suffered a sprained ankle, he went to the clinic to have it checked out.   When the doctor told my Dad it was severely sprained and he would have to go on profile and off of airborne status, Dad said oh no, it was just fine, he laced his boots back up, jumped up and danced around to demonstrate it was just fine.  Dad walked out of that clinic, and fell down once outside and crawled to his car.  Mom had to go later to ask for pain medication.  Jessie and I saw this same thing when we took Dad to the hospital after picking him up at the airport a couple of years ago.  Once Dad had received some fluids and felt better, he jumped up and was running around to show how much better he felt.  
My Dad also showed us that no matter what, you loved your family.  You weather the disappointments and the sorrow that life always brings so that you can enjoy the joys, happiness and love of family.  There was never a doubt that Dad loved all his family, my Mom, us kids, his 6 grand kids and his two great grandkids.   Never did you leave without Dad first asking why, why did you have to leave and then him telling you that he loved you.
My Dad would not want us to be sad and crying, it hurt my Dad to see anyone in his family hurting.  Dad would say that he is in a better place, and he waits patiently for us.  He would say, rejoice in this cold day that The Lord has made and be happy.  And call your Mom to let her know you made it home okay.

God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be. So he put his arms around you, and whispered, come with me. With tearful eyes we watched you, slowly fade away. Although we loved you dearly, we would not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, he only takes the best. Prepare our house in heaven. I love you Dad. I will see you soon. R.I.P.

So sorry for your family's loss of Uncle Bud. He was so caring and lots of fun. We so enjoyed our last visit with him and Aunt Barb! Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. Memories will last a lifetime but we only need them until we meet again! Love y'all!

I am so sorry that he left this world but God needed him in Heaven. I loved chatting with him on line a lot and I know he will be truly missed by everyone he has met in his lifetime here. We will miss him.
Linda Tippie Bates In Weatherford, Tx

We were so sorry to hear about Uncle Bud's passing. We are sending our love and strength to Aunt Barb, and the rest of the family. May God see you through this sad time.

I always  enjoyed  the  comments  he  would  leave  me  on Facebook ...Like when I posted  that I  got  my  Concealed Weapons  License ...he  said  Oh  no  I can't  believe they gave  you  a ....( Tippie ) a  license  to  carry  a  gun ...WHAT WERE  THEY  THINKING....LOL...  I will always remember  that ...he was  truely a sweet  man ...he  will be  missed .....Maude Tippie  LaFountain

I sure am going to miss my Uncle Bud.  The world is not quite as cool without him here.  See you again someday.  Much love to  Aunt Barb and the whole family.

We were so sorry to hear of the passing of our precious Uncle Bud. He was always so special to our family.  May God comfort you during this time. We love you Aunt Barbara and your family. love,, Regina Tippie Holand

OBITUARY

M. J. Tippie

February 23, 1931 – November 8, 2014

Earthman Resthaven Funeral Home & Cemetery

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