Wayne Harrison Tippets

My name is Wayne Harrison Tippets. On Friday, September 9, 2011, after a long battle with Parkinson''s disease, I was reunited with many loved ones who have been waiting for me, especially my mother and father, my daughter Lynette, great-granddaughter Ivy, and 11 brothers and sisters who passed before me.

My journey began on July 20, 1930 in Georgetown, Idaho. I am the 12th of 13 children born to Joseph Maurice and Hannah Emmorette Wixom Tippets. My family moved to Ogden when I was four years old.

When I was 16, I lost my vision due to detached retinas. I was forced to quit Ogden High School at that time, but I am proud to say that I returned 49 years later and received my high school diploma at age 65. I worked at DDO, but had to take a medical retirement because of my blindness. I owned and operated Wayne''s Country Variety in Kanesville, Utah for over 35 years, where I made many wonderful friends.

In 1952, I met my eternal partner, Barbara Todd, at a Weber High School basketball game. We were married and sealed for eternity on February 19, 1953 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. We were blessed with six children, 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. I love my family more than anything in this world, and would do anything for them.

I am a member of the LDS Church. I have enjoyed many callings, including Sunday School President, Elders'' Quorum President and High Priest Group Leader. My favorite callings were Scout Master, and my missionary callings. My wife and I served two full-time missions in South Dakota and Salt Lake Temple Square. We also served five stake missions and six years at the Conference Center in Salt Lake.

Some of the proudest moments of my journey have been: winning trophies in ping-pong and horse-shoes, partnered with my son, Terry; making 88 foul shots in a row; swimming across Pine View Dam more than 120 times with my brother, Thad; becoming the first blind man in Utah to receive my real estate license; and graduating from high school at age 65. I served as President of the Weber-Davis National Federation of the Blind, and worked as a volunteer at Hill Air Force Base Museum.

My priority was my family; my hobby was people. Other favorite hobbies included swimming, coaching little league and church sports. I have always enjoyed all sports, particularly BYU sports.

I am survived by my wife of 58 years, Barbara; our children, Patty Tippets, Terry (Lynette) Tippets, RaNae (LaMar) Wilde, Marilyn Tippets and Brian Tippets, who all reside within ten miles of each other. I am also survived by my brother and best buddy, Thad Tippets; two sisters-in-law, Colleen and Joyce Tippets.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 14th at 2 p.m. at Lindquist''s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd.

The family will meet with friends Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. at the mortuary.

Interment, Hooper Cemetery.

The family wishes to thank Crystal, Elaine, Camille, Carla and Jan from Hearts of Hospice, and members of the Pleasant View 4th Ward for their care, support and love.

Send condolences to the family at: www.lindquistmortuary.com