1936
James
2021
James Dewey Tripp
July 18, 1936 — November 5, 2021
peacefully at Emory St. Joseph's Hospital in Atlanta and went to his heavenly home. He battled a lengthy
illness for several months.
Jimmy was born and raised in Wilcox County (Abbeville, GA). Born on July 18, 1936 to James Dewey
Tripp, Sr. and Hermie Conner Tripp, Jimmy was 85 years old at the time of his passing. He attended
Wilcox County Schools and graduated from Abbeville High School in 1954. He then attended Georgia
Southwestern College and Auburn University. After attending Auburn, Jimmy was employed at Robins
AFB as an Engineering Technician. After a short period of time, Jimmy was transferred to Brookley AFB in
Mobile, AL. This is where he met the love of his life, Joan Rabby. They met on a blind date on September
29, 1962 and were later married at First Baptist Church of Bayou La Batre, AL on June 29, 1963. They
were married for 58 years.
Jimmy served in the U.S. Army Reserve and the U.S. Air Force Reserve for six years and was called to
active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Upon the closure of Brookley AFB, Jimmy and Joan moved
back to Georgia in 1967 where he was again employed at Robins AFB in the Directorate of Maintenance
and Plant Services Division. Jimmy continued working at Robins AFB until his retirement in 1998. His
total time in federal service was 43 years. Upon retirement from Robins AFB, Jimmy accepted a position
with Madison Research in Warner Robins where he worked for six years.
Jimmy was an engineer from birth. As a boy he was always building things and working on equipment
used on the farm where he was raised and continued to design and engineer things during his federal
service years. Jimmy was respected by his peers and the younger engineers often went to him for
advice. Jimmy enjoyed his work and it showed.
Settling in Hawkinsville in 1967, Jimmy became active in the community. He was a member of
Hawkinsville First United Methodist Church where he served in many capacities. He was Chairman of
the Official Board, served as a Trustee, was Sunday School Superintendent for 10 years, and taught
Sunday school for many years. His most recent class he taught was the Mary Kicklighter Class. He was a
member and leader of the Methodist Men's Club, previously sang in the church choir, and served as a
delegate at Annual Conference for several years. He was the church's representative to Dooly
campground. He enjoyed doing all these things for the church he dearly loved.
Previously a member of the Pulaski Lions Club, Jimmy served as president for two terms and was
selected member of the year two times. He was a member of the local chapter of the National Active
and Retired Federal Employees Association and served as vice president for a number of years. He was a
member of Western Light Lodge No. 272 F&AM in Abbeville.
Jimmy was a giver, not a receiver. He was humble and did so much for others without anyone really
knowing about it. That was just his nature. He helped build a Habitat for Humanity home in Hawkinsville
and helped build ramps for several disabled persons.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved daughter, Kimberly Tripp Gunkel of Atlanta; his
brother, George Norman Tripp of Carrollton; and his in-laws, Revis and Mildred Rabby of Coden, AL.
Survivors include his wife, Joan; his sons, Shawn Leighton Tripp of Hawkinsville and Justin Leland Tripp
(Brooke) of Atlanta; grandchildren, Davis Alexander Tripp and Cameron Leigh Tripp of Atlanta; nephews,
George Norman Tripp, Jr. of Roopville, GA, David Steele of Theodore, AL, Jeff Bosarge of Mobile, AL, and
Jarod Bosarge of Mandeville, LA; niece, Melissa Nelson of Irvington, AL; son in law, Robert (Bob) Gunkel of Atlanta Ga.; brother-in-law, Revis WayneRabby (Frances) of Coden, AL; sisters-in-law, Karen Robinson of Carrollton, Velma Steele (Ray) ofIrvington, AL, and Beverly Bosarge of Irvington, AL.
Visitation with the family will be at Clark Funeral Home in Hawkinsville on Tuesday, November 9, 2021
from 6:00 to 8:00pm. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at 11:00am at
Hawkinsville First United Methodist Church followed by burial at Liberty Hill United Methodist Church in
Wilcox County. Officiating at the funeral service will be Rev. Jack Varnell, Rev. Dr. Marcus Tripp, and
Rev. Dr. John Walker.
The family requests that donations in memory of Jimmy be made to the Hawkinsville FUMC Memorial
Fund, or to Liberty Hill UMC c/o Janet Harvey 11750 Abbeville, GA 31001, or the charity of your choice.
Flowers will also be accepted. Clark Funeral Home in Hawkinsville is in charge of arrangements.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Dewey Tripp, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Tuesday, November 9, 2021
6:00 - 8:00 pm (Eastern time)
Clark Funeral Home
Funeral
Wednesday, November 10, 2021
Starts at 11:00 am (Eastern time)
Hawkinsville First United Methodist Church
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