Buzz Trexler

I remember when I first met Ed Tipton at The Daily Times. It was December 1989 and I think it was the same day I met his brother, Fred. I looked at this man and thought, “Fred’s changed clothes.”

Ed and Fred were twin brothers and I’m certain they got a lot of laughs over folks’ first impressions.

It was with great sadness that I learned Monday that Ed, 72, had gone to be with his Lord.

Ed was a longtime Daily Times employee, having worked at this company for 45 years. He was also a former pastor, having served East Walland Baptist Church. And one more job: Ed also owned Dude’s Grocery Store for 18 years. In the preaching business, we’d say Ed was a “tent-maker extraordinaire.” But that was his and Fred’s generation: You worked, sometimes two or three jobs.

Ed and Fred both retired within about a year of each other here at The Daily Times, and I miss them greatly. In my end of the business, you count on men like them to share the wealth of knowledge they amassed over the years. As managing editor, one of my primary roles is to ensure the paper hits the street. Fred and I worked through a lot of issues together over the past years to make sure that happened — and it was not unusual to see Ed at his side.

I still have my only sibling, so it’s difficult to imagine Fred’s sorrow. He and the rest of the family are in my thoughts and prayers, as well as those of others here at The Times.