Tom attended Sul Ross State College in Alpine, TX from 1934-1938. He earned a B.S. in History. He was a football and basketball star and football team co-captain. In 1939, he was named to the All-Time Football Team at Sul Ross. In 1987, he was inducted into the Sul Ross State University Athletic Hall of Honor. He met his future wife, Frances Louise Cotter, while at Sul Ross. They married on March 29, 1940 in Alpine. Tom later earned a master’s degree in History. After graduating, he coached high school football for 13 years, mostly as head coach, in a variety of Texas towns including Seagraves, Temple, Dennison, and Pampa. Except for the three years spent in the U.S. Army during World War II, he was involved with football his entire working life.

In 1954, he joined the staff of football great Bear Bryant at Texas A&M in College Station. He coached there for three years before becoming the Defensive Coordinator and linebacker coach at the University of Washington in 1957. He helped revive the UW program and was instrumental in sending three Husky teams to the Rose Bowl. His years at UW were the highlight of his career; he was a Husky to the core. So it was with a heavy heart that he resigned this position in 1969, a decision precipitated by the challenging times of racial unrest on the team. He subsequently became a pro football scout for the Dallas Cowboys; the Quadra Combine, which included the Rams, Chargers, Cowboys, and 49ers; and, finally, the Green Bay Packers. He retired in 1987 to his home near Denver, CO.

Though football was his passion, Tom loved sports of all types and was a voracious reader. He especially liked murder mysteries. He was an avid fisherman and continued fishing well past his 80th birthday, making two deep sea fishing trips to Alaska around that milestone. After his wife passed away in 1999, he met Beverly Conley, whom he affectionately called “Redhead”. They remained special friends until his death.

Tom has been described as “the most intense football coach I ever saw”. He was tough, compassionate, feared, loved, and respected. He was driven to prepare his players to win on the field, but also taught them the skills to succeed in the pros and their later working life. He instilled values and work ethic, accepting nothing less than someone’s best effort, even if it was more than needed to win the game. He demanded excellence and inspired people to work harder. One of his sayings, even at home, was “a person who really wants to do something finds a way, while others look for an excuse.” Through his work, he was a great influence on the lives of many young men over many decades. He maintained strong ties with many of his former players throughout his lifetime.

Tom is survived by his twin brother, Robert N. Tipps (Hannah), Lubbock, TX; daughters Melanie Hall (Roland), Monterrey, CA, and Betsy Tipps (Larry Hardebeck), Park City, UT; four grandchildren and great grandchildren; a special niece and nephew, Martha and Bill Weiler, Eagle, ID, and many other nieces and nephews, as well as their children and grandchildren. Tom was especially close to his twin brother, often making sure they were together for the Superbowl, and to his daughter Betsy. She and her family brought him great joy. Tom had a heart as big as all outdoors. He was full of love, irreverence, and wisdom. He was blessed with a long rich life and many friends, whom he treasured. He was well loved and will be missed by many.

A memorial service celebrating Tom’s life will be held at Holladay Baptist Church, 2780 E., 3900 S., Salt Lake City, on Saturday, February 10, 2007, at 1:30 p.m. Family and friends are invited to a reception at the church immediately following the service. His ashes will be interred at the Elmgrove Cemetery in Alpine, TX, at a later time. Tom requested that any remembrances be made to The Tipps Family Trust to help with medical costs for his grandchild with autism (c/o Wells Fargo Bank, Attn: Dee Jurius, 6480 Highway 224, Park City, Utah 84098); or Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch, Amarillo, TX (www.calfarley.org); or the Salvation Army.