Red-Tip in trouble. Help!

I posted a question in Trees n Shrubs but this might be a local kind of knowledge, so if you think you may be able to tell me what's wrong with my big old Red-tip, please take a look at the post and photos.
Thanks!!
Deb

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/788859/

It looks like that dreaded fungus/disease thing that has plagued the southeast for the past 15-20 yrs, and why no landscaper worth their salt will ever plant it now. Can't remember the name of the disease, but there's no known cure. It hit my big Frazerii(20') a couple of years ago, and killed it in 6 months. I cut it down and dug it out. Replaced it with a 3' viburnum which looks silly as hades among all those taller shrubs, but what else can you do? They don't even sell Photinia in the garden stores anymore because of this problem.

Yes, that was my first fear. I'm really hoping it's not that.
On the bright side - sort of - Several folks on the trees n shrubs forum made some good suggestions and I hope it's one of the cure-able ones. Going to take a look at it first thing in the a.m. and do what I can.
This guy is a good 15' or so. I will cry if it goes.
Deb

Good luck! It's used a lot here - so pretty in the spring.

You might want to give Kari Whitley of Scout Horticulture a call. She's a plant pathologist by training, and a grower by inclination (great combo!). Seems to be very knowledgeable, and most of my professional nursery friends rely on her. I don't have her number, but could get it in an instant if you're interested. If you've got that dreaded virus, the red tip is a goner even as we speak. The sooner you replace it, the sooner the replacement doesn't look as silly as my little Viburnum this year!