Robby Joe Cupp

Robby Joe Cupp, passed away Thursday, June 30, 2011 at his home in Frederick, Oklahoma. Robby was born December 3rd, 1972. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ray and Wilma Hawkins and Warren and Jurhee Cupp, all of Frederick. Robby is survived by his parents, Jerry and Carolyn Cupp of Tipton, one sister, Traci and husband Michael Jay Balderas of Tipton, and he was the proud of uncle of his 2 nieces, Brittany, Mikayla Jo (whose middle name is named after him), and one nephew, Jacob Balderas, all of Tipton. The family wishes to celebrate Robby's life in a memorial service to be held for close friends and family at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Orr Gray Gish Funeral Home, of Frederick, Oklahoma. Robby graduated from the 8th grade in 1988 as Valedictorian at Manitou Grade School and from Tipton High School in 1991. In school, he was involved in 4H, basketball, baseball, FHA (Future Homemakers of America), and he was the Tipton band Drum Major. Robby also loved to work in the garden and cook. In all 3 years that he was a member of the OMEA All State Choir, he was selected as 1st Chair, and he received the largest music scholarship given by Cameron University. He was a Vocal Performance Major at Cameron University and Midwestern State University. While living in Stillwater for almost 15 years, Robby worked as the District Manager of Wendy's. He moved back to Frederick in 2006 to take care of his grandmother, Wilma Hawkins until she passed in August 2010. He also worked in Home Health as an ETS/HTS. To say music was important in Robby's life is an understatement. He loved to sing Gospel and performed in churches, revivals, banquets and choirs all over. His parents and little sister would often join him when performing. At age 13, he recorded his first cassette, "My Cup Runneth Over." At age 14, Robby won the Oklahoma Kids talent competition 2 years consecutively singing, "For Those Tears I Died," and then "You'll Never Walk Alone." He was featured in an OETA/PBS televised special. Robby was named "Male Vocalist of the Year" at the K-LAW talent contest and opened for country music artist, Randy Travis. He took piano and vocal lessons from the Academy of Music for several years and had lead roles in various Opera productions at theaters in Wichita Falls and Lawton. He was a member and soloist in the annual production of the Messiah in Lawton, Oklahoma. He often led worship services at surrounding nursing homes and was the Worship Leader for a few years at the New Post Chapel in Fort Sill. His most recent performances include performing in Christmas shows at the Ramona Theater produced by his sister, Traci and niece, Mikayla Jo. Robby had one of the most incredible, classical voices of all time and was recently invited to perform in New York. Videos of Robby's performances can be found on YouTube. In June 2011, Robby and his sister, Traci began teaching vocal music lessons together for more than 15 students at Main Street Music Studio, a studio Traci and her husband, Michael opened in Tipton. At the studio, Robby also enjoyed taking clogging classes alongside his nieces, sister and dad. Giving to others was especially important to Robby. Over the years, he sponsored several children to take music lessons or attend piano and vocal camps. Because of this, his family has created a Memorial Fund in which donations will be used to sponsor a student for either a music camp or a college music scholarship in Robby's name. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made payable to Main Street Music, PO Box 442, Tipton, OK 73570 or be deposited directly to the Main Street Music account at BancFirst (Frederick/Lawton). Robby's gift of music will continue through your gifts and memories, and his voice will live on in our hearts.