of Little Rock, AR
May 1, 1950 - September 21, 2024
There once lived a man, heroic in life and love who refused to abandon his mortal existence until the last breath. In the warm light of morning on September 21, 2024 he entered into eternal peace with his wife and daughter at his side.
Johnny was born May 1, 1950 in El Dorado, Arkansas, the son of John Ray Tipton Jr. and Francis Izola ''Zoe'' Thomason Tipton. He was a spirited child, often the subject of letters written home to the family. The adventures of little Johnny became the legacy of the man who once built wings on his bicycle because he wanted to fly. One day he did just that becoming a pilot so he could hunt when he wanted, and where he wanted in his own Cessna. A modern-day mountain man, flying high across the wilderness with his iconic beard, rumored to have been rivaled by Sir Sean Connery himself. It is worth noting that the Chevy dealership has lost a loyal customer. He owned more cars than we can count, but the family would like noted he never wrecked his own cars just theirs citing a squirrel incident on Mt. Holly Rd in his Mother's Dodge, making one with a tree, where had it not been for the seatbelt mandate of 1966 he would have not gone on to also wreck his little brother's Rambler. It seems he never lost that boyish dream to be a legend.
He graduated from El Dorado High School in 1968, as the handsome boy who was both an excellent student and member of the football and weightlifting teams. While never a troublemaker, at home he tormented his siblings into adulthood. While engaged in a neighborhood game of bullfighting he and his brother David were knocked unconscious.
Johnny grew up to meet his wife of 50 years, Yolanda, and married her after one year of courtship on August 23, 1974 in Clinton, Arkansas. Together, they welcomed a daughter, Shannon and grandchildren Jace and Isabella into the world. All because two people fell in love. It just doesn't get any better than that.
In 1972 he graduated from South Arkansas University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, briefly teaching at El Dorado H.S. before graduating Pharmacy School in 1975. Johnny dedicated his career to his fellow Arkansans, as the Lead Pharmacy Surveyor for thirty years at the State of Arkansas Office of Long-Term Care (OLTC). He earned the title Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Arkansas for Medical Services (UAMS) School of Pharmacy in 1995. He served on numerous committees for state agencies to assist in setting regulation standards. John loved to teach, if there was a question he was the go to person in pharmacy. He never left a phone call unanswered. His hard work and vast knowledge combined with unwavering passion for patients in long-term care earned him the love and respect of all.
Learning from a young age to hunt, it was from those wild Thomason girls - his Mother and Aunt Dot. Johnny loved trips to Colorado and Alaska with his friends, brother and grandson tracking elk and bear. He was everyone's hero. While sometimes not a ray of sunshine he was the dutiful Patriarch of our family, who would do anything for anyone. Always watching over us even when we weren't looking and now surely from heaven for all the days of our lives until we meet again.
He is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife, Yolanda ''Yodi''; daughter Shannon Tipton, both of Little Rock; Grandchildren Jace Tipton and Isabella ''Bella'' Tipton; Sister, Donna Rife (Tom) of Bentonville; Brother, David Tipton (Pamela) of Bentonville; Nieces Tasya Tipton (his favorite) of Houston, Texas and Lindsay Dover (Howard) of Bentonville; Nephew Shane Tipton (Melissa) of Bristow, Virginia; Aunt Dorothy Shirey of Springfield, Missouri and Aunt Shirley Petty of Austin, Texas; many adoring Great Nieces and Nephews and was part of the infamous Thomason 22 first-cousins who were witness to his life spending 4th of July in Hampton at the family reunion homestead shooting guns and eating Southern food with the family he loved.
He loved his own in the world, and he loved them until the end. John 13:1 Until the very end.
A celebration of Johnny's Life will be held at Crystal Hill Baptist Church on Thursday, September 26th at 2 p.m., 18823 Crystal Valley Road, Little Rock, Arkansas
Burial will follow services. Anyone wearing black will not be admitted, or at your own risk. Johnny ask you wear red or he will haunt you now that he has wings.
Family will greet friends at 1p.m. for viewing until service begins. We also welcome all to a luncheon at Wood Grill after burial.
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12 Condolence(s)
Lisa Phillips
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
John was such a sweet kind man. He was so dedicated to his family, especially those grandbabies. I worked with him for 10 years at OLTC and I looked forward to the times he would comr to the office snd stop by to say Hi and check on me and my family. He was truly one of a kind. Hee fought so hard over the past few years to be able to stay here and be there for his family. He battled illnesses so hard and pre ailed when any other person would have not survived
His will to be on this earth was enormous. I know I will miss him and I can't imagine what a hole that he has left on the hearts of hia family. I pray you find comfort knowing he is no longer in pain or struggling with daily illnesses and is running down those streets of gold. One day we will all see him again and then there will be no goodbyes and only glorious eternity with those we love. You are all in my prayers.
Lisa Tessier
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Thank you, Johnny, for welcoming this "damned Yankee" into the family like the southern gentleman you always were.
I will always appreciate your generosity in helping me, your cousin's new girlfriend, move some flea market furnishings to an apartment in Little Rock (in Gregg's absence) and then working tirelessly (and somewhat riskily) to hook up a questionable gas stove that I had bought with my meager savings. Not surprising to all who know and love you, that was at our first meeting!
I will remember your kindness, dear cousin!
Gina Roest Pagan
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
I worked with John at the office of long-term care. Later when I was working in the industry, he would survey buildings that I was consulting for. He was respected and loved by the long-term community. He will truly be missed.
Gregg SHIREY
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
What a great big cousin he was!! We had many hunts day and night for creatures large and small. There were few things that would phase him, but I remember one time we were duck hunting on the Arkansas River, ran the jon boat on top of some ice at 5 AM, with decoys and two labs. The temperature was well below freezing and we were stuck. Johnny's unwavering response was we were really going to get the ducks, if the boat doesn't sink and we can get off the ice! And, we did.
Happy hunting Johnny.
Andy and Cheryl blansett
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
John was a good pharmacist and a great friend to me and my family. He will be missed. Prayers for all.
Cherie Crow
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Yodi and family~~We've been friends forever!! Crazy times with family & friends...
Soooo many stories and John had one for all times..I will miss him so much with his sarcasm, his hugs, his smile, and concerns. I can already picture him with all those hunters and friends, telling their stories now. Free from pain at last......
Cherie Crow & family
Deborah Dees
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
I worked with John for 15 years at OLTC. He was a such a kind soul oh he would talk gruff and act bad but he was a teddy bear at heart. If there was anything he could do for you he never hesitated to jump in. I know he loved his family tremendously and was especially proud of them grandbabies. Heaven gained one of the good ones when they called John home. Prayers Yodi and the rest of the family for God's peace and comfort.
Julie Trucks
Tuesday, September 24, 2024
You all are in my thoughts & prayers.
Julie Trucks, Administrator
Belle View Estates Rehab - Monticello, AR
Terry Thomason
Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Rest in peace cousin. We had many memorable times in Calhoun County. Lots of adventures along Champagnolle creek. Fond memories.
Mary Lynn Cole
Monday, September 23, 2024
I loved John…before we had GPS, we
had John Tipton GPS. He could direct you to any LTC facility in the state of Arkansas. He taught me many things and I have missed him greatly. Rest in peace, Prince
Meredith Kesterson
Monday, September 23, 2024
Yodi, John was a wonderful, caring, full of life, and loving man. He will be greatly missed. I thought the world of him, as he always treated me as his own. You, the kids, and family are all in my prayers. JJ & Meredith Levart Kesterson
dan yancey