Obituary of Rev.Tracy Gipson

Tracy Greer Gipson The Reverend Dr. Tracy Gipson, at age 94, transitioned to be with God, whom he so faithfully served, as pastor and lifelong missionary to the Telegu people of Andhra Pradesh, India. He is beloved by his family and people in India, Idaho, New York, Oregon, and Washington. Tracy with his cherished, lifelong partner, Marjorie, worked tirelessly to uplift the lives of the underclass. To them, the power of Christianity is that you, by the grace of God, can write your own destiny and are not bound by fate to a hierarchy. Christ is the great equalizer; the prostitute is just as worthy as the priest. Through their work, hundreds of churches have been established in India. On February 10, 2012 all the Baptist churches of A.P. will gather to celebrate Dr. Gipson's life. Pastor Peter Gangepogu and the Dupati family will fly in to represent his Telegu ministry as part of the services in Vancouver, WA. A memorial service, open to all, will be held February 12th at East Woods Presbyterian Church. Tracy was born on August 29, 1917 in Caldwell, Idaho, to Edgar Varney Gipson and Florence Greer Gipson. In 1931, the family moved to Denver when his father became an agriculture inspector. Many happy years were spent in Denver, until the depression started and the family returned to their home in Twin Falls. Florence worked in a department store, while Edgar farmed the family plot. As there was no money for higher education, Tracy prayed fervently for help and was granted full scholarship to Linfield College, where he graduated Cum Laude four years later. After marrying Marjorie May Lynch, he studied at Berkeley Divinity School, then transferred to complete his Bachelors in Divinity at Colgate Rochester, NY. In 1972, he would complete a Masters in Church History at Yale University. Tracy first worked in the home missions of Idaho. Then in 1947, he and Marjorie were appointed by the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society to work in South India. With their three small children they started their work in a primitive village. Three more children were born in India. As their work progressed, it became apparent the couple had found their lives' calling. Next, they were assigned to the city of Kurnool to manage the network of mission boarding schools in that district. From 1960 - 65, the Gipsons moved their ministry to Calvary Baptist Church in Salem, Oregon. Then, returning to India, Tracy became a seminary professor, teaching church history and becoming the President of Andhra Christian Theological College, Secunderabad, until he retired in 1981. Tracy and Marjorie visited India as volunteers, on and off, until 1999. Dr. Gipson is survived by his wife, Marjorie; siblings, Neal, Priscilla, and Jack; his children, Tracy Ann, Marcia, Robert (Reg), Carol, John, and Marjorie (Maj), fifteen grandchildren and twenty-two great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Tracy and Marjorie Gipson Endowment Fund. Make checks payable to: American Baptist International Ministries, Attention: David G. Worth, Development Director, PO Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851. Brown's Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Camas has been entrusted with arrangements.