George "Earl" Tripp

Earl was born in Orange, Pennsylvania on January 28, 1929. His parents were Harry and Affie Tripp and he had two brothers and four sisters – Betty, Glenn, Lee, Irma, Barbara and Anna May. While growing up, Earl did chores around the farm, and held a job for a while at Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon. He and his family enjoyed playing guitars, singing and square dancing. Earl served the United States Navy from 1948 to 1950, and had the opportunity to see Greece, Italy, Hawaii and sailed through the Panama Canal.

On November 13, 1948 he was married to Reba Joyce Stevens while on home from leave from the service. Following his honorable discharge, he joined Reba and her family in Detroit, and there began an apprenticeship as a tool and die maker. Earl supported Reba and their two daughters, Sandy and Cheri, in his chosen field. Most of his career was spent at Mount Clemens Manufacturing in Mount Clemens, Michigan, a Detroit suburb.

In the mid-1970s, Earl and Reba purchased a campground in northern Michigan and headed north to make their home in Fife Lake. They have many fond memories of friends made at Whispering Oaks Campground. Earl continued his career at United Technologies in Traverse City and retired in 1991. He and Reba spent several winters camping in Florida.

Their daughters married and began families of their own, bringing Earl two sons-in-law, Hank Seguin (Sandy’s husband) and Mike Paul (Cheri’s husband), as well as grandchildren. Sandy and Hank have three daughters, Laura, Linda and Lisa and Cheri and Mike have a daughter, Allison, and a son, Lance. Earl also has three great-grandchildren, Nathan and Amelia, children of Sandy’s daughter, Linda, and Ava, daughter of Allison.

Some of his favorite past times were gardening, camping, playing the guitar and dulcimer. He was always willing to share the produce from his bountiful garden with neighbors, friends and family. He was especially fond of his blueberry bushes and the loved to pick the wild blackberries that grew in the woods behind their home.

His mild manner, soft, thoughtful voice and sense of humor will be missed by all who knew him.