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Don K. Tipton
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by Buzztail1 on January 21, 2008
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I just received the sad news that a very good friend of mine from the herp community has passed away. I would like to take this opportunity to share a little of what I know about him with you all. Don Tipton was a self-effacing gentleman who never, to my knowledge, took the time to tell anyone just how much he actually knew about venomous reptiles in an attempt to make himself seem more important. In fact, when he asked for advice, he took the advice he got and said thank you, even though the advice he often got was well below his own knowledge level. When asked for advice, he invariably gave sound and well-thought-out responses that made sense and did not belittle the asker. He was actively involved in the venomous community when I first met him online. I tried to go back through my records and find just when we actually started corresponding. It was too far back to find! Probably he was one of the few that was already here and welcomed me to the online group when I first came online. He ran his own website “AllHerps” where I met quite a few of the people that I have come to know in the community. Over the years, he wound up with a couple of snakes that I rescued from areas near my home that were being developed into communities and I know that they were well cared for in his collection. Unfortunately, several years ago, Don took in a Rhinoceros Viper that Animal Control had seized and it was delivered to him in very cold weather and in very poor shape. He was treating the animal with Baytril and wound up taking a bite to the finger. Don was the kind of guy who had his own antivenom (at least enough to start treatment) and a protocol on hand to go to the hospital with him. He was treated and was eventually released from the hospital but the effects of the venom were something that stayed with him for the rest of his life. The venom altered Don’s nervous system in a way that left him in continuous pain! He went through several doctors and many treatments before winding up with a mix of pain killers that made working a “normal job” nearly impossible. We spent many evenings talking on the phone about our snakes and our love of the hobby. I would, in vain, try to get him to write up a full account of his ordeals so that the newer people to the hobby would understand that venomous snake bite is not always as simple as get the antivenom, get better, get on with your life. Don took his love of reptiles seriously and brought it to the public as often as he could. He started and ran his own vivarium and the Wild West Rattlesnake Museum in Cody, Wyoming. I finally got to meet Don and his lovely wife, Dawn, at the 2005 Daytona Venomous Reptile Show. They were the gracious and friendly people I had come to know for many years over the telephone and internet and I was delighted to get to spend time with them.
I will miss my late night telephone chats with my friend and the venomous community will miss his knowledge and friendly sharing of information.
Our prayers are with his wife and family.
Karl H. Betz
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RE: Don K. Tipton
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by Phobos on January 22, 2008
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That's very sad Karl. Don was nice guy with big plans for his Wild West Rattlesnake Museum. Several specimens from my collection ended up on display there since the museum was not limited to Rattlesnakes. I too remember meeting Don & Dawn at Daytona 2005. My thoughts and prayers are with Don's family.
Al
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RE: Don K. Tipton
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by AlanHyde on January 22, 2008
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Don Was A very dear friend of mine too, and like Karl I spent many evenings chatting about allsorts with him on the phone.
Kinda strange as, although I live over here in UK I considered Don a Soul friend and a kindred spirit .
Although we never met in the flesh I will miss him like a friend I have known all my life .
I will be at his funeral in Spirit , and know that one day we will meet on the other side.
Thank you Don for all you have done for me
Alan
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RE: Don K. Tipton
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by hapkidocrochunter on January 22, 2008
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I am new to the venomous community and I never had the oppurtunity or the privilege to speak with him. I am sorry for the loss and for his family as well. It seems that in the very least, he has touched many lives and helped this community grow. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone.
matt
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RE: Don K. Tipton
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by Cro on January 22, 2008
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Don Tipton was a nice guy, and will be missed by the venomous herp community.
My condolences to his wife and family.
Best Regards JohnZ
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RE: Don K. Tipton
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by Atrox788 on January 24, 2008
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Don was one of the first folks I ever met in the hobby and one of the first to ever give me advise. He was always friendly, knowledgeable and a great person through and through.
He truly loved the animals he devoted so much of his life to. The hobby has truly lost a great person and in a sense, one of its founding fathers. I think those from the old pitvipers.com era would agree with that statement.
My prayers go out to his family and friends.
You will be missed bud.
Godspeed,
Jeremy Geffert
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