Ted Tipton Obituary

Ted Tipton

May 22, 1933 -

March 24, 2026

Ted Tipton was called home to be with his Savior Jesus Christ on March 24, 2026. Born in Roan Mountain, Tennessee on May 22, 1933, Ted was the son of the late James Blaine Tipton and Julia Miller Tipton. Ted grew up during the Great Depression and knew what it was like to struggle through very tough times with a large family on a small farm. These times proved to provide him with the drive to work hard and helped to make him a very successful businessman.

After graduating from Cloudland High School in 1952, he proudly served his country in the Army during the Korean Conflict. When his tour of duty ended he enrolled in college at East Tennessee State and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1962. During this time, Ted met the love of his life, Betty Jane Luther. Together, they shared 67 years of marriage with love and devotion and much hard work. In 1961, they purchased Watauga Lakeshore Marina, which was in a very bad state of repair with only one boat in storage. With years of hard work and devotion, Ted built the marina into a thriving business that housed over 500 vessels. Four generations of the Tipton/Luther families worked at Lakeshore for 61 years, all under the direction of "the Captain" in a true Family Affair. Ted was also very active and proud of his involvement in The Captain's Table Restaurant for which he was honored as Tennessee Restaurateur of the year in 1991.

Ted was a member of First Baptist Church of Elizabethton and enjoyed the monthly men's breakfast fellowship time when he was able to attend. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers: James, Charles, Lincoln, Herb, and Billy Jack Tipton; his sisters: Frances Ballard Goins, Bonnie Montgomery, and Genevieve Tipton; his devoted son-in-law, Chad Allara, who devoted nearly 40 years of service to the marina in the service department at Lakeshore.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Luther Tipton; his daughters, Teresa Calhoun (Jerry), Kathy Taylor (Ben), Wendy Allara, Cheri "Babe" Tipton and two special bonus daughters, Pam Tipton Worth and Regina "Homey" Greene; Grandchildren: Jessica Calhoun, Sarah "Boo" Lyons (Justin), Teddy Allara (Angel), Blaine Allara (Amy); Great grandchildren: Jaydyn, Stella, Gunner, Alexis, Malachi, Valerie, Harper, Dimitri Allara and Tucker Lyons; one brother, Johnny Tipton; many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

The Tipton family would like to thank all of Ted's caregivers and especially the staff at the Waters of Roan Highlands in Roan Mountain for all of their love and devotion to our father's care.

A memorial service celebrating Ted's life will be held on Saturday, March 28, at 2:00 p.m. at Elizabethton First Baptist Church, 212 East F Street, Elizabethton, TN with Pastor Todd Hallman officiating. Music will be under the direction of John Bunn. The family will receive friends before the service from 12p.m.-2 p.m. at the church. The graveside committal service will follow in the Tipton family cemetery, Roan Mountain, Tennessee. Active pallbearers will be Von Luther, James Luther, Jim Shell, Scotty Potter, Scott Tipton, Tracy Tipton, and Tommy Adams. Honorary pallbearers include Jim, Luther, Ron Stanley, Richard Culver, Lanny Norris, Walter Allen, Dean Tipton, Keith Tipton, James "Rodney" Tipton, Harry Ford, friends of Elizabethton First Baptist Church, and all former employees of Watauga Lakeshore Resort and Marina.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Elizabethton First Baptist Church, Special Olympics, Donate Life America, or to a charity or organization of your choice.

Words of sympathy may be shared with the family by visiting our website at www.tetrickfuneralhome.com. Tetrick Funeral Home of Elizabethton is honored to serve the Tipton family. Office phone: (423) 542-2232.