George Wentworth Tripp, 87, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, surrounded by family and friends, at Prestige Assisted Living in Kalispell. 

He was born in Lewistown on Feb. 3, 1926, to Lewis E. and Emma Agnes (Messier) Tripp, the youngest of 10 children. 

George grew up on his parents’ ranch west of Jordan and attended the country school there. When they no longer had enough pupils for a school, he went to Jordan for school.

In 1944, during World War II, he joined the Navy and served aboard the battleship USS South Dakota in the South Pacific. A highlight of his service was being present in Tokyo Bay when the Japanese surrendered and signed the treaty aboard the USS Missouri.

After his discharge in 1946, he returned to the ranch. On Nov. 9, 1947, he married June Roberts, and they continued to live on the ranch. In 1957 they moved to a ranch at Niarada to be closer to schools. In 1992, they sold the ranch and moved to Kalispell.

George was a longtime member of the Montana Stockgrowers and also the Western Montana Stockman’s Association, where he served two years as president. He was also a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

George was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, June; his parents, four brothers and five sisters; two sons, Lee and David; and one granddaughter, Kaylee Rose Tripp. 

He is survived by four children, Bill and Merry Tripp of Kalispell, Teresa and Rusty Raisland of Townsend; Lynn and DeAnne Tripp of Kalispell, and Carrie Stephens of Hillsboro, Ore. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Jamie and Kara Tripp, Lynae Axelson, Christina Stephens, Terri Mosher, Julie, Elly, Nella and Georgiana Tripp; and four great-grandchildren, Aiden, Addison and Angelyna Mosher and Brayden Axelson.

Memorial services for George will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 29,  in the Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Chapel with Pastor Darold Reiner officiating. 

The family suggests memorial gifts be given to the Kaylee Rose Tripp Scholarship Fund, 495 Fifth Ave. W.N., Kalispell, MT 59901; the Flathead County Search and Rescue; or a charity of the donor’s choosing.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for George’s family. You are invited to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view George’s tribute wall, offer condolences and share memories.