Clarence Tipton

Clarence Robert Tipton, age 89, of Lamar, passed away early Thursday morning, May 19, 2016 at Missouri Veterans Home in Mt. Vernon, Missouri, following a long illness.      Clarence was born March 4, 1927, near St. James, Missouri, to William Clarence and Katie (Kunzman) Tipton.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his only sister, Gladys (Tipton) Lay.      In the spring of 1945 Clarence graduated from St. James High School and entered into active duty in the U.S. Army July 11, 1945.  He served as a personnel clerk and rifleman in Company L, 3rd Infantry Regiment in Germany during World War II.  Returning home in 1947, Clarence began his career in the grocery business by loading trucks for A&P Grocery in St. Louis.  On August 9, 1952, at Malden, Missouri, Clarence married the love of his life, Betty Ann Massie, and they made their home in Lamar, owning and operating Tipton Superette for ten years.  Clarence then worked as a butcher for MFA/Vern’s Food Fair in Golden City until retiring in 1992.      An avid outdoorsman, Clarence, or C.R., as some knew him, enjoyed raising cattle on his Barton County farm.  His favorite pastimes were those that included family and friends - coaching youth baseball, fishing, and hunting quail.  He will be remembered by many for his work ethic, integrity, his ready smile and pleasant attitude regardless of challenges.  Clarence served others as an active member of VFW Post 3691; an elder of Carthage Presbyterian Church for many years and a faithful member of Lamar United Methodist Church.      Survivors include his wife of nearly 64 years, Betty; a son, Robert (Debbie) Tipton, Stott City, Missouri; a daughter, Tracy (Steve) Rogers, Rocky Comfort, Missouri; six grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and a large extended family.      Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 23rd, at Daniel Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends Monday from 10:00 a.m. until service time.  Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery.      Memorial contributions are suggested to Lamar United Methodist Church or Barton County Senior Center.