Dr. George Bledsoe Tipton
Dr. George Bledsoe Tipton, of Brownwood, passed away at Abilene Regional on Friday, May 31, 2019 at age 83.
A Memorial service was held on Tuesday, June 4, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church in Brownwood, with graveside services on Wednesday, June 5, 2019, at 10:00 A.M., at Fort Parker Memorial Park, Groesbeck.
George was born September 20, 1935 to Edward Tipton II and Dorothy Gilpin in Dallas County. During his formative years, George spent the school year in Groesbeck and summers in New York City with his Uncle George Bledsoe and Aunt Nan. His uncle, who he called “Nunny”, was a local pharmacist who loved to take George fishing. Between Nunny and the local doctor, George developed a love of serving through medicine. George’s mother Dorothy was a school teacher who was one of the first women in Texas to receive a postgraduate degree. Upon her death in 1969, she was recognized by Texas Senate Resolution no. 469 for her contributions to education in Texas. From Dorothy, George gained his love of education, community service, and helping others.
After graduating from Groesbeck High School, George decided to follow in the footsteps of the local doctor accepting payment by farm goods and homegrown items. This led to his career in medicine. George graduated as a Doctor of Medicine from Baylor University.
After his service in the United States Navy as an Officer during the 1960s, and his time treating soldiers returning from war in San Diego during Vietnam, he settled in Rusk, Texas as a family doctor. There he met his wife, Selva Jean Berry. After a personal tragedy, they moved to Minnesota where they would be married in 1969. George became a licensed psychiatrist through Johns Hopkins.
George spent a large portion of his career working as a psychiatrist with the Veterans Health Administration. He ended his career at the Mississippi Gulf Coast VA as the Chief of Psychiatry.
George and his wife then moved to Wichita Falls, Texas where he worked at Helen Farabee MHMR until moving to Brownwood to work at the Center for Life Resources. His last day of work as a Psychiatrist was May 29th , 2019. In his career, George served many thousands of people, from all walks of life, through psychiatry, his empathy, and faith.
Throughout his life, George was a devoted disciple who enjoyed the community and openness of the Methodist Church. George attended church almost every Sunday and loved his Sunday School class at First United Methodist Church in Brownwood.
In his free time, George loved reading, learning, and fishing. He enjoyed fishing trips with his son, George, both regional and to destinations like Canada and Belize. He was also thrilled at the opportunity to teach as an adjunct professor at multiple campuses throughout his career. Finally, he enjoyed spending his extra time with his wife.
George was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Gilpin; sister, Carol Wilcox; and daughters, Pam and Karen Tipton.
He is survived by his wife, Selva Jean Tipton of Wichita Falls; son and daughter-in-law, George R. and Ashley N. Tipton of Wichita Falls; step-daughters Theressa Jones O’Quinn of Lufkin and Toni Krieg of Vernon; brother-in-law, Don Wilcox of Tyler; and sister, Hilda Lark of North Carolina.