Edward Leroy "Eddie" Tipton, 71, died Nov. 3, 2016, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. He was born Oct. 5, 1945, in Hutchinson, to Malcom and Wilma (Phoenix) Tipton.

Eddie graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1963, Hutchinson Community College in 1965, and Wichita State University in 1972. He retired from Eaton Corporation as a metal alchemist and chemical engineer. After retirement, Eddie worked for Friendship Meals, helping to prepare and serve meals at the Salvation Army. Always a car enthusiast, in 2006 Eddie became the founder and president of Salt City Cruisers.

Eddie loved to organize, coordinate, and oversee car shows and give back to the community through numerous charitable and philanthropy causes. Eddie was a member of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church.

On Dec. 18, 1999, he married Geraldine Hazel "Gerry" Vaughn in Hutchinson. She survives. Other survivors include: daughters, Jamila Tipton-Edwards (Antowin Sr.) of Kansas City, Mo., Angela Tipton-Breckridge (James Nesbit), Milissa Tipton-Dunkins (Bruce), Shontina Tipton (Vince Rogers), all of Oklahoma City, Okla.; sons, Edward Lemar Tipton (Leslie) of Wichita, Wesley Vaughn (Emma) of Hutchinson; sister, Janice Sheeley-Woods of Fort Worth, Texas; special sister, Laura Jean Ragsdale of Hutchinson; aunt, Lucretia Nichols of Hutchinson; 15 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and uncles, Ralph and Billy Phoenix.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11, 2016, at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, 1015 E. 7th Avenue, Hutchinson, with the Reverend William J. Green Sr. officiating. Burial will follow in Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday with the family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson.

Memorials may be made to the church or Friendship Meals, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.