He then earned a bachelor's degree from Hardin–Simmons University in 1943 and served in the Counterintelligence Corps during World War II, alongside the Fifth Army.
Following his discharge from active duty in 1945, he enrolled at the University of Texas Law School and married Elsie Murphree in 1946.
While pursuing his degree in law, which he completed in 1949, Tippen was elected to two full terms as a Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 116.
In June 1972, Tippen won a special election for District 24 of the Texas Senate, and replaced David Ratliff in office.
Upon completing Ratliff's term in 1973, Tippen was appointed to a position on the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education by governor Dolph Briscoe, which he held for six years.