Mr. Tommie Gipson

Tommie J. Gipson was born in Saginaw, Michigan to the late Charlie Gipson and Eudora Gipson Blair on July 16, 1958. Tommie was shaped by values instilled by his parents and grandparents TJ and Christel Riley who taught him lessons that carried him throughout his life. Tommie was christened and raised at St. Luke CME Church where he faithfully served on the Board of Trustees and sang in the choir. He later joined Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church where he remained a vibrant and active member until he could no longer attend on a regular basis. Tommie was a proud BV Knight, graduating from Buena Vista High School in 1976. His gifts for basketball left a lasting impression on teammates and all who watched him play. At Buena Vista he gained lifelong friends including Fred Chaney, Mark Howard, Kevin Martin, Yvonne Cabine and Sammie Coleman, as well as many others and became known as “Gip”. After high school, he attended Delta College and Western Michigan University. He began his employment journey at Baker Perkins, Meijer’s and Thompson Ball & Screw. He retired after 20 years of service at Formsprag Clutch as a manufacturing supervisor. Tommie was a professional model car builder and member of the Mid-Michigan Model Makers Association. Many of his cars were published in Scale Auto Magazine. He was named Detroit Area Auto Modelers Chairmans Pick and received multiple awards from the Southeast Michigan Modelers Association. In his spare time Tommie enjoyed outdoor activities including bike riding, fishing on his boat with friend Sherman Woods and attending drag car races with his dear friend Tommie Bodiford. He loved jazz music, photography, going to get Mooney’s ice cream and people watching from the garage with his loving wife Theresa of 39 years. Along with his beloved Theresa, he leaves his children, daughter, Andrea Sharper (Charles) of Atlanta, GA and son, Christopher of Detroit, MI; grandchildren, Caleb Sharper (London, England), Tyson and Olivia Sharper (Atlanta) and Miles Gipson and his mother Tina Miller (Detroit). He leaves one sister, Marsha Lee of Saginaw, MI and nephews Justin and Jason Lee (Detroit); sister-in-law, Kathy (Richard) Brown of Waldorf, MD; Brothers-in-law, Herbert (Vanessa) Herd and Keith (Connie) Herd, all of Saginaw, Joe (Verlona) Herd of Detroit and Ronnie (Prissy) Herd of Houston, TX; His only remaining aunt, Carol Carroll; step-father; Ollie Blair, step-sisters; Julia Ann Blair and Alice Webster; step-brothers, Kenneth Blair and Dennis Blair. He also leaves his niece, Audrea “Kim” Lockhart who was dear to his heart to cherish many fond memories. He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Delora Gipson; mother and father- in-law, Neville and Leatha Britto; sister, Jackie (Earl) Lockhart; niece, Carla Lockhart; step-brother and sisters, Joey, Ollie Jr., Gloria Jean and Joanne Blair; also sister- in-law, Stephanie Herd Smith. Just recently, he lost his dear childhood friend, Jimmie Chaney of Atlanta, GA. Tommie held close many cherished friends from his childhood, school, playing ball at the YMCA, church and work. He never apologized for living a simplistic, purposeful and intentional life. Finding joy in the little things that mattered most to him. His faith, sense of humor, kindness and quiet strength were a testament to a life well lived and his legacy will continue in the hearts of all who knew him. The family would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Bartnik and staff at Oncology Hematology Associates of Saginaw Valley, PC. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 28, 2025 at Mt. Olive Institutional Baptist Church, 1114 N. 6th St., Saginaw, MI 48601, Rev. Joshua Daniels, Pastor and Dr. Marvin T. Smith will officiate. Interment will take place in Forest Lawn Cemetery, 3210 S. Washington Ave., Saginaw, MI 48601. Visitation will be from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home and the family will be present from 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Mr. Tommie Gipson

July 16, 1958 - March 17, 2025