James Leroy Tipling, 76, died March 26, 2010 at St. Johns Hospital in Springfield, Missouri after a brief illness. He was born in Atchison, Kansas on February 4, 1934. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Edith Tipling of Arrington, Kansas and a son, Scott Tipling of Kansas City.
He is survived by his wife Martha of Nevada, MO, daughters Margo Shull and her husband Mark of Springfield, MO, Terry Malesky and husband Joe of Strafford, MO, Andrea Foulkes and husband Ted of Kansas City, MO, step daughters Misty McGraw and husband Vernon of Nevada, MO and Dr. Stormy Adams Moore and husband Dr. James “Doug” Moore of Lewisburg, West Virginia along with nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He also has a surviving brother, Dr. Roger Tipling and wife Sheila of Springfield, MO. and one niece and nephew.
Jim attended elementary school in Atchison, KS, and was a graduate of Atchison County Community High School in 1952. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard until he returned home to run the family store in Arrington, Kansas. He completed a BA degree in Music Education at Kansas University in 1963. He also acquired a Masters Degree in Music Education, 1971, and Specialist Degree in Educational Administration from Central Missouri State University, 1974. He taught music at Everest, Effingham and Stanley/Stillwell, Kansas. He served the education field for over fifty years as a teacher, principal and superintendent in Belton, Mount Vernon, Mansfield, Bland, Metz, Bozworth, Roscoe and Hudson, MO. He was well known for his piano abilities and played in numerous bands and nightclubs in Kansas City and other locations and taught at a music conservatory in Pismo Beach, California.
Memorial services will be held at the St. Bernadette Catholic Church, Highway 254, Hermitage, Missouri on Saturday April 24, 2010. Visitation will be at 10 am and service at 11 am. Donations may be made in his name to the church in lieu of flowers.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home South.