Gary Anthony Tipping

Gary Anthony Tipping, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on February 7th, 2026 at the age of 80 . Born on November 8, 1945, in Toledo, Ohio Gary was the son of Norman Tipping and Florence (Altman) Tipping. He grew up in Monclova, Ohio with his five siblings and attended St. Joseph's Catholic School in Maumee before graduating from St. Francis de Sales High School, Class of 1963. Gary's professional pursuits in engineering began at the University of Toledo, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in 1968 and his Master of Science in Civil Engineering in 1972. He went on to become a Registered Professional Engineer in Ohio and several other states. In 1968, Gary married Irene Bettinger, beginning a 57-year marriage marked by devotion, partnership, and faith. Together they raised eight children: daughter Andrea (John )Kanfeld, sons: Matthew (Julie), Edmund (Nicole), Daniel (Rachel), Peter (Blythe), Jeremiah (Christina), Joseph (Eliza), Benjamin (Katherina) and beloved foster son John Hesler. Gary saw all his children marry and was the proud grandfather of 13 grandchildren,14 great grandchildren and uncle to17 nieces and nephews. He endured the heartbreaking loss of his son Peter, who passed away in 2018. Professionally, Gary's career spanned more than five decades. Since 1988, he served as President of SKJ Engineering Associates, Inc., providing civil and structural engineering expertise to a wide range of clients. His earlier career included roles as a visiting professor at the University of Toledo; department manager at AVCA Corporation; associate professor and program coordinator at the University of Toledo Community & Technical College; director of engineering at McDonnell, Proudfoot & Associates; and design engineer at Finkbeiner Pettis & Strout. He began his engineering journey as a structural designer with SSOE Group from 1966-1968. In 1981, he received the Young Civil Engineer of the Year Award from the Toledo Section of the American Society of Engineers. Gary also served his country with honor. Drafted into the U.S. Army in 1968, he trained at Fort Campbell and Fort Sill before deploying to the Republic of South Vietnam from June 1969 to August 1970 with the 25th Infantry Division, Artillery, supporting Fire Direction Control. He returned home decorated with the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and the Bronze Star. Faith and service were the cornerstones of Gary's life. He served as a church leader, a Boy Scout leader with Troop 777, a board member and president of the Toledo Christian Board of Directors, and President of the WLMB TV40 Board for a decade. His humility, generosity, and unwavering commitment to his community and faith left a lasting legacy on the many people he supported and with whom he worked closely. Gary is survived by his wife, Irene; his children; his grandchildren; and his siblings Joan (Charles) Falkenburg, Sandra (Peter) Aument, and Brenda (Tab) Brown and 17 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son Peter; his sister Linda (Falk); his brother Mark and his parents. Gary will be remembered as a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, a trusted friend, a respected engineer, a faithful servant, and a man whose family and community were profoundly strengthened by his presence. He lived his life in the ethos captured in Psalm 25:4-5, "Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long". A visitation will be held for family and friends from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Friday, February 20 at Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Road. Toledo, OH 43614. The visitation will begin at 9:00 AM, with the funeral service to be held at 10:00AM on Saturday, February 21st at Harvest Lane Alliance Church, 5132 Harvest Lane, Toledo, OH 43623. Interment will be private. Please view Gary's video tribute and leave a condolence message at CoyleFuneralHome.com. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to following charitable organizations, Harvest Lane Alliance Church: Donate or Bella Vita Network: Donate

Tributes

Gary Anthony Tipping

November 8, 1945 - February 7, 2026