Larry Earl Tipton, 67, passed away on September 29, 2026, in Carlisle, Texas.

Larry was born on October 21, 1958, in Pasadena, Texas, to Geraldene (née Barrett) and James Earl Tipton. He grew up in Dickinson, Texas, where he excelled on the football field and was an All-American player during Dickinson High School's 1976 championship season. He went on to play college football at Wharton Junior College before graduating from the University of Houston with a degree in Civil Engineering.

A Professional Engineer, Larry built his career as a structural and forensic engineer and, for a time, owned his own firm, Tipton Engineering. He spent most of his adult life in Kingwood, Texas, where he and his family made their home and raised his two daughters, Lauren and Holly.

Engineering was Larry's profession, but building was simply part of who he was. Over the years, he remodeled multiple homes for his family and was always ready to tackle another project for one of his daughters. There was little he could not figure out how to build, repair, improve, or make work.

In retirement, Larry turned that energy toward a place deeply rooted in his family's history in Carlisle, Texas. There, he set about rebuilding a family home originally constructed by his grandparents in the 1930s. Preserving his family's connection to the land and creating a legacy to leave to his daughters and the generations to come was deeply important to him.

Larry loved the outdoors, particularly deer hunting on his East Texas property and fishing. He was also a lifelong college football fan and a devoted University of Houston supporter, holding Cougar football season tickets for decades.

More than any accomplishment or hobby, however, Larry will be remembered for the way he treated people. He never met a stranger. He could strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere, whether it was an old friend in Texas or a taxi driver in China.

He was equally well known for showing up when someone needed him. Larry was the person you called when something broke, when a project seemed impossible, or simply when you needed help. He was generous with his time, his skills, and himself. He would give someone the shirt off his back, and he rarely needed to be asked twice.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Terri Lynn Tipton (née Westmoreland); his daughters, Lauren Renee Tipton and her husband, Martí Prats Güell, and Holly Elizabeth Tipton and her fiancé, Shaun Christopher Gordy; and his sister, Gerry Lynn Stratford.

Larry spent a lifetime building structures, homes, friendships, a family, and ultimately a legacy on the East Texas land his family had known for generations. The work he began there will continue, as will the generosity, independence, curiosity, and willingness to help others that he passed on to the people who loved him.

Services will be held on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the Carlisle Community Chapel at Carlisle Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11:30 a.m. A reception will follow at the same location, where family and friends are invited to gather, share memories, and celebrate Larry's life.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Larry's memory are invited to make a donation to the CJD Foundation (https://secure.qgiv.com/event/cjdfoundation/account/2505568/).