Remembering Kip: Losing A City Council President And Friend

Friday afternoon, I was shocked, like many others, to hear that Tuscaloosa City Council President Kip Tyner had died.

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It just did not seem real. Kip, just days away from his 71st birthday, had battled health issues, but none of us were expecting this devastating news.

I first got to know Kip Tyner years ago, not as a political figure, but as the weatherman at Tuscaloosa’s WCFT Ch 33. Back when Ch 33 was really a local Tuscaloosa TV station.

I will never forget being invited to be a guest weatherman with Kip on Ch 33.
Local radio personalities were being invited to join Kip on TV and do the weather forecast. I was the morning man, actually a baby DJ, at WNPT Radio.

I wanted to have a little fun and make my guest forecaster TV appearance memorable.

So I smuggled a pie onto the Ch 33 news set and pied Kip in the face on live tv m. I said it was for all the forecasts he had missed. Like when he said sunny, but it rained instead. It was all in fun, and everybody laughed. I did feel guilty about the mess made on Kip’s new suit, so the radio station paid the dry cleaning bill. Kip, as always, was a good sport about it all. We laughed about it often.

Kip is remembered for his support and love of his community. His dedication to Alberta, where he grew up. He is also remembered for his love of animals and support of local shelters.

Somebody has suggested on Facebook that University Blvd. East, running through Alberta, be renamed Kip Tyner Boulevard.

The Mayor has ordered flags lowered to half-staff for Kip.

Kip Tyner was loved and appreciated by many. He is missed.