Thomas H. Tipton
June 15, 1933 — April 13, 2020
Thomas H. Tipton
Well known gospel and jazz singer Thomas “Tom” Henry Tipton Jr. of Maple Grove, MN went to be with his Lord on Monday, April 13, 2020, following a brief illness. He was 86.
Mr. Tipton performed on more than 100 telecasts of the “Hour of Power” from the Crystal Cathedral in Orange County, California. In his retirement years, he traveled throughout Minnesota singing and speaking at assisted living facilities, senior centers, nursing homes, worship services and veterans’ programs performing with his deep baritone voice the old hymns taught to him by his mother. Tom had a magical and deeply spiritual way of reaching out to his audiences, a “touched by the Holy Spirit” connection. His handshakes, embraces and words of faith and encouragement were genuine, caring, supportive and hopeful to all he touched. Once touched by Tom, one became an instant friend for life. Audiences young and old share stories of the first time they met Tom and offer how he impacted their lives. From college student to professional athlete, grade-school student to politician, long-time neighbor to physician or celebrity, “Tommy” was everyone’s best friend.
Music was always a guiding light in Tom’s life. He often spoke of being a “boy soprano” in his mother’s church choir. Born to parents Thomas Henry Tipton Sr. and Lucille Robinson, they made sure he learned his manners (sometimes the hard way) and taught him about respect, faith and love, lessons he would call upon throughout his entire life. In her career as a Washington, DC-based radio host in the late 1930’s and 1940’s, Lucille introduced Tom to many of the music legends such as Sara Vaughn, Nina Simone, Harry Belafonte, “Dizzy” Gillespie, Isaac Hayes and Roberta Flack, among others. Later, he participated in choirs and theater in high school and college, even working at local dances and clubs in the Washington D.C. area as a solo DJ known as “King Hi-Fi”. His musical talent served him his entire life, always with the desire to bring joy to others.
The “Hymn Singer”, was born and raised in Washington D.C., graduating from Dunbar High School, in Washington D.C., in 1951. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Language Arts at Morgan State College, in Baltimore MD, in 1955. He was an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and a gifted athlete especially in basketball and track, where he set several campus and association records. Tom served his country in the U.S. Army from 1955-1957. Over the next decade he continued to perform his music and extended his hand into the world of politics, assisting his mother on working committees to support the 1963 March on Washington, which was highlighted by the “I Have A Dream” speech, delivered by the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.
In 1968, Tom was elected president of the black chapter of the Young Democrats in Washington, D.C. In this position, he met then-Vice President Hubert Humphrey. Tom moved to Minneapolis at Mr. Humphrey’s request to join his campaign for U.S. President in 1968. During this time, Tom’s musical gifts became well known through fundraising events and extensive travel on the campaign trail. Mr. Humphrey was diagnosed with cancer in the late 1970’s and, near his passing, asked Tom if he would sing at his funeral. Tom accepted the request from his close friend.
At the conclusion of the Humphrey campaign, Tom became director of the newly created Twin Cities Opportunities Industrialization Center (T.C.O.I.C.), developing programs for vocational training of minorities entering the job market.
In the 1970’s, Tom launched Vanguard Advertising, the first black-owned and operated agency in Minnesota. Vanguard served corporate clients across the nation, including Land O’ Lakes, Pillsbury, Hanes Hosiery, Dial Soap, Greyhound Bus Line and held a major recruiting contract with the U.S. Navy.
Hubert Humphrey passed away in 1978 and Tom delivered a powerful performance of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” at the funeral. It was there that Tom was also introduced to televangelist Rev. Dr. Robert and Arvella Schuller. This chance meeting would lead to a long friendship and the launch of his gospel music career as a guest soloist on the “Hour of Power” telecast from the Crystal Cathedral in Orange County, California. In addition to the TV broadcasts, Tom performed around the world with Dr. Schuller’s ministries including crusades with the late Rev. Billy Graham and musicians George Beverly Shea and Cliff Barrows.
Tipton Music Ministries was headquartered in Orange County California from 1980 until 2006. Tom once said he chose to return to Minnesota because, “When you pass someone on the street in Minnesota, strangers greet you, and say ‘Hello and Welcome,’ they mean it!” Tom also loved to sing our country’s National Anthem. He performed the Star-Spangled Banner at college and professional sporting events, including Minnesota Vikings’ games, at the Minnesota State Capital and veteran’s events.
Tom often told a story from his childhood when Tom Tipton, a shoe-shine boy, was refused admittance to the Easter Egg Hunt on the front lawn of the White House because of the color of his skin. He vowed that in his lifetime he would have the opportunity to sit inside the White House as a guest. And he did: having the opportunity to sing for presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. He referred to the experience as his ”Shining Out and Shining In.”
Tom’s many career opportunities afforded him an amazing public life that he fully embraced. But he was continually supported by, and actively involved in the lives of his family. He is survived by his loving partner and best friend Dara Wegener; daughters Cassandra (Kelvin) Pye, Saintanne Tipton and Beverly Tipton (Andrew) Hammond; brothers Arthur (Barbara) Robinson, Reginald (Sandra) Robinson; grandsons Richard, William, Eric and Steven; nephew Niik Stewart and niece Tracy Robinson and many very good friends and fans around the world.
Due to the current social distancing requirements, a public Celebration of Life will be scheduled when safe for all guests at Lord of Life Lutheran Church of Maple Grove.
Family contact via Lord of Life Lutheran Church of Maple Grove 763-420-5015.
A family funeral was held. To view the service, click the link below
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