Gale R. Tipton Jr., 78, of Lonoke, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on June 11, 2025 at the VA Hospice Center in Little Rock.
Gale grew up in England, Arkansas where he enjoyed being on the family farm with his grandfather, hunting, playing sports, racing around in hot rods, and living life to the fullest. He was a big Razorback fan and loved to watch as many games as possible on TV.
Gale proudly served his country in the Air Force serving in Vietnam. Gale went on to have a variety of careers as a young man before beginning the career he was most proud of, owner of Four Winds Ventures. He served as a Safety Consultant to many companies throughout the United States and was considered an expert in his field. Gale wrote many policies and guidelines based on his expertise. He loved his work and continued to do it up until his passing. The people he met through his years of work were not only clients but many became his dearest friends. Gale loved to travel with these friends and his family as often as possible.
Gale was preceded in death by his mother, Lorene Orlicek; his father, Russell Tipton; and his grandparents, Gus & Clara Orlicek.
Gale is survived by his only son, Daryn Tipton; his grandson, Nash Tipton; and his half-brother, Gary Wood; as well as many other family members and dear friends. He will be remembered as someone who never met a stranger and will be missed deeply by all who knew him.
The family will hold a private graveside service on Friday, June 20, 2025 beginning at 10:00AM in the Czech National Cemetery located in Hazen, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers they are requesting donations to the Arkansas Special Olympics organization in honor of Gale’s grandson, Nash; or donate to your local Veterans Association in honor and memory of those who have served and continue to serve our country.
Gale Tipton was a good family friend, both he and his son Daryn Tipton. He could be very stern at times when he wanted his point to come across. He could tell a good story and was always looking for the next best thing. He was a joy to be around, I loved him as he was just like my father. He will be missed,. Until we meet again, fond memories my friend.
I have a memory I’d like to share of a wonderful human being Gale Tipton. One day in the mid 90’s my husband and I decided to eat lunch at Applebee’s restaurant. As we approached from one side here comes a muscular 6’5″ nice looking tall man that opened the door for us and my first thought was Wow he’s taller than my 6’3 husband. We exchanged pleasantries while waiting to be seated and he asked us to join him for lunch and that was the beginning of a 30 year friendship. They bonded over military service, a good cigar, travel and other commonalities.
We lived down south and he lived up north but through the years he visited a few times and found out my husband Bob was a cigar aficionado after a game of golf. While working with his company Four Winds he would call periodically and tell Bob he had some hand rolled Cuban cigars which he thoroughly enjoyed. As the years went on Gale moved to Sandpoint, Idaho and talked about how much he loved it there. He called excitedly one day and invited us to his piece of paradise, but unfortunately to my regret we never made that happen.
As time went on I lost my husband and Gale moved to Minnesota but we continued our friendship by phone. He proudly would tell me his life’s stories that he wrote about or send me an audiobook to listen to on the computer. We had interesting conversations on the phone and I soon realized he was in declining health and very lonely. I always encouraged him to move to be closer to his beloved family. One day he reminded me on one of his visits how much he loved the chili I made for him which I had no recollection of. He also asked me if I liked to dance and shared memories of driving his corvettes and going out to nightclubs to dance. He was an extremely smart and generous man.
In his last days I was thankful to meet his son Daryn and April by phone and they kept me informed about his ongoing health issues. It was an honor to know this man and I felt privileged that he shared so much of himself and his life with me. He was very special to me and the brother I never had. My sincere condolences to his family for their loss and many thanks Daryn for staying in touch.
You are dearly missed my friend, Rest in God’s Heavenly Peace Elaine
I just know him as a con man. He took me for over $20,000 He was never a successful businessman. I’m sorry for Daryn.