Tipton `Tip' Bowlsby

March 29, 1931 — Dec. 10, 2020

Tipton “Tip” Bowlsby, passed away peacefully at the age of 89 on Dec. 10, in Turlock. Born in Oakland to Albert and Faye Bowlsby on March 29, 1931, he grew up in Tuolumne County on what is now Cover's Apple Ranch. After graduating from Sonora High School, he moved with his parents to Manteca where his father operated The Scoop news and fountain. Tip joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1952, listing his prior occupation as a “soda jerk.” He served during the Korean War.

Tip then went to work for Thrifty Drug Stores, eventually becoming a store manager and being transferred to Porterville, where he met Beatrice “Bea” Van den Akker. Tip and Bea married and returned to Manteca to open Tipton's in 1961, selling cameras, cards, and processing film. The business grew to include office supplies and a variety of gifts. They explored a number of retail opportunities with a Tipton's in Oakdale, Tipton's Bath Shop and Unique Fabrics in Manteca.

Tip and Bea divorced in 1989. He then moved to Oakdale, where he married Carol Evans-bowlsby in 1996. Together, they operated a flower shop before retiring to Sonora. Both avid gardeners, Tip and Carol's yard was once featured in the Sonora Home Tour.

Tip was preceded in death by his siblings, Betty Bosshard, Leon Bowlsby, Jenny Williams, Penny Day, and by his second wife, Carol. He is survived by two children, Brenda Franklin (Leon) and David (Tonya). David and Tonya have two daughters, Alyssa and Megan.

He will be laid to rest in a private service at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery, Santa Nella.