Forrest Wade Tippen Sr.

Forrest Wade (Pete) Tippen, Sr.

Abilene

Forrest Wade (Pete) Tippen, Sr., 93, died Monday, November 26, 2012 in Abilene. The family will have a private burial followed by a memorial service to be held Wednesday, November 28, 2012, 2:00 PM at First Baptist Church Abilene under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. Dr. Phil Christopher will officiate.

On August 14, 1919, Forrest Wade was born to William W. and Ollie Mae Tippen in Mullin, Texas. He graduated from Abilene High School in 1936. In 1939 Pete, a name given to him by friends, graduated from Hardin Simmons and joined the United States Air Force. He was stationed in England, Panama, Trinidad, Brazil and India during World War II and flew the back and forth across the world including missions from India over "The Hump" into China. During the Korean War he flew fifty-two bombing missions over North Korea, was stationed at the Pentagon and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

He married Minnie Alice Mayfield on August 22, 1950. Their early married years were spent in Arlington, Virginia and Ann Arbor, Michigan where Pete earned a Master in Business Administration degree from The University of Michigan. Pete left the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel and returned to Abilene with Minnie Alice to establish a home. There he joined Abilene Savings and Loan (later United Savings), served as president and remained there for the rest of his business career. Among many civic responsibilities one of his favorites was the opportunity to act as a director and board chairman of Hendrick Medical Center. As a member of First Baptist Church he served as chairman of the board of deacons, later as deacon emeritus, as well as in other areas of the church.

Pete treasured life with his family and lived every minute of it to the glory of God. Pete was content and kind. He loved his computer and led his family using texting and Facebook to stay in touch and give advice to his grandchildren. He loved summers at South Padre with his family, Nantucket, Burkett, Albany football games, reading, needle point, his back porch and yard. He was an avid traveler and visited every state in the U.S., the 50th being a surprise trip to Wisconsin with his grandsons Will and Jay to finish the slate. He kept up with each excursion and was known to extensively plan and plot each trip on maps using his ample navigational skills.

Pete was preceded in death by his parents William W. and Ollie Mae, his wife, Minnie Alice and brother William Kenton (Bill) Tippen. He is survived by this three children, Peter Tippen and wife Cathy of Dallas, Texas, Philip Tippen and wife Pamela of Abilene and Susan Tippen Montgomery and husband Robert of Albany, Texas. He was deeply loved by his grandchildren; Marshal, Brendan and Ellie Tippen of Dallas, Wade and Rob Montgomery of Albany, Will Tippen and wife Kaely of Abilene, James Tippen and wife Carrie of Fort Worth and his great grandchildren Lucy Jane and Samuel Wade Tippen. They all call him "Dandy". He is also survived by his sister, Norma Sue McCann of Lometa, Texas and two sister-in-laws, Elsie Tippen of Abilene, Texas, and Jimmie Everts of San Marcus, Texas. He has numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Online condolences may be posted at www.HamilFamilyFuneralHome.com.