Thomas Baird Tippetts

June 30, 1941 – Aug. 29, 2024

 Thomas Baird Tippetts, 83, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at his home in Gilbert, Arizona, on August 29, 2024. His family surrounded him and lovingly cared for him in his final days. 

He was born on June 30, 1941, in a humble log cabin in Cowley, with blue eyes and bright red hair. Tom lived a remarkable life marked by dedication, love, patriotism and unwavering faith. 

His daily mission was to teach, and in his later years he found immense joy from his favorite chair on the back porch, where he observed irrigation, fireworks, lawn mowing and family gatherings with great-grandchildren playing and swinging from the trees. This is where he counseled others and recounted his memories before they began to fade. This was his favorite view, whether exposed to the summer heat or showered with leaves falling from the trees.  

Tom’s early years on the family farm and ranch outside of Lovell instilled in him a profound sense of hard work, innovation and perseverance. During his formative years, simplicity and a close-knit community shaped his character. In his early years, he was a sugar beet farmer and self-made engineer, inventing farming machinery with his grandfather and a gyrocopter with his brother. 

Flying small planes was an early passion as his interests took flight. He attended his high school graduation with two black eyes from a welding mishap on a fuel tank. From there, he went on to Army boot camp, marriage and the University of Wyoming. 

From these humble beginnings, Tom graduated with an advanced degree in engineering from the University of Wyoming. From there, his journey took him to great heights, culminating in a long and distinguished career in aerospace engineering. Tom played a crucial role in creating guidance systems for national defense and contributed his expertise to NASA’s Space Shuttle program. 

Throughout his life, Tom demonstrated a profound love for the outdoors. His passion for hiking took him on numerous adventures across the rugged trails of Wyoming, the diverse landscapes of Arizona and the remote wilderness of Thorofare in Yellowstone Park. His trusty telescopic walking stick, once a symbol of his adventurous spirit, became a cherished companion in his later years, reflecting his enduring connection to his past adventures. He refused to use a standard cane. 

In his final years, Tom faced the challenges of aging with grace and humor. He continued to inspire those around him with his wisdom, love and unwavering faith. His final days were filled with the comfort of family and the peace that came from a life well lived. 

His parents, Marion and Toynette Tippetts, siblings Sherril Mark and Dan and his first wife, Pat, with whom he shared 42 years of marriage, preceded Tom in death. 

Tom’s cherished wife Margaret, with whom he enjoyed his final 19 years, and an extended family remain in his memory. His legacy continues through his children, Ike, Teresa and Tamye, as well as Margaret’s children, which he considered his own, including Debbie, Danette and Donald, 19 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Each member of his extended family held a special place in his heart, and he took immense pride in their accomplishments and joys.

Tom’s memory will forever remain in our hearts. We’ll miss having him being readily available to answer all of our most profound questions with precision.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 4629 E. Guadalupe Rd., Gilbert, Arizona, will host a memorial service in Tom’s honor on September 7 at 1 p.m. A graveside service will take place on September 14 at 10 a.m. at the Lovell Cemetery. 

For those wishing to send flowers for display at the service, please send them to the care of Margaret Tippetts at 4196 E. Houston Ave., Gilbert, AZ 85234.