Matthew "Coach" Tipton

June 11, 1946 - February 21, 2017

Matthew “Coach” Tipton age 70, of Russellville, KY, died Tuesday, February 21, 2017, in Auburn, Kentucky. Coach Tipton was a member of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Russellville, KY, where he served faithfully with the Male Chorus, Adult Choir, Senior Choir, and was a former Adult Sunday School Teacher and Treasurer. Matthew was a graduate of Mumford High School, Austin Peay University (where he played basketball) and Western Kentucky University (where he received his Master’s Degree and Rank I ). Coach Tipton was an Educator and Coach for over 42 years with the Russellville School system. As a proud Panther, Coach Tipton was the longest serving coach of one team (Girls track) in Russellville/Logan County history. His love for mentoring youth and his dedication to coaching and helping inspire our youth of today led his peers to show their appreciation by acknowledging him with the Coach Matt Tipton Scholarship Fund. Matt served his country in the Army of the United States during the Vietnam War; and he was a member of Fred Douglas Lodge #72, 33rd Degree. Coach Tipton would spend hours gardening, working out and watching of course ESPN. He loved a good hot home cooked meal consisting of fresh green beans, topped off with his favorite lemon meringue pie. Coach Tipton was the son of the late Henry Tipton and Jennie Tipton. He was predeceased by brothers and sisters, Bertha Tipton, Willie Mae Mosley, Gordon Tipton, Henry Louis Tipton, Jesse Tipton Sr. and Wiley Tipton. Loving and cherished memories will be embraced by his wife, Connie Thomas Tipton, Russellville, KY; daughters, Bethany (Brad) Childs, Bowling Green, KY, Medina Tipton, Frankfort, KY; sisters, Ann Jones and Lula Tipton Stallings, both of St. Louis Mo, Jeanette (Howard) Murrell, Burlison, TN; brothers, Jack (Mae) Tipton and Alfred Tipton, all of Memphis, TN, Sam Tipton, St. Louis MO; a host of nieces, nephews. He also leaves to mourn many friends, coaches and former athletes. Sincerely, -Your friends at Burnam and Son In Lieu of Flowers -Contributions to Matt Tipton Scholarship Fund C/O First Southern National Bank 88 South Bethel Street-Russellville, Kentucky 42276