Samuel Triplett

Samuel Clyde Triplett, 86, of Waco, went to be with our Lord Tuesday, August 14, 2012. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday, August 17, 2012 at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd. with nephew, Dr. K. Milton Higgins, of Fresno, CA and Associate Pastor Frank Wallace of Columbus Ave. Baptist Church officiating. Burial will follow immediately at Waco Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, August 16, 2012 at OakCrest Funeral Home.

Samuel Clyde Triplett was born November 29, 1925 at Ocee, Texas to Henry Carl Triplett and Naomi Plemons Triplett. He graduated from Crawford High School in 1943. Sam enlisted in the U. S. Army April, 1945 and trained at Ft. Hood, Texas. In October, 1945 he was deployed with the first group of replacement troops who relieved those who took command of Japan in WWII. In Feb., 1946 he joined the 11th Airborne Division at Sindae, Japan and completed his Paratroop training there. Sam was a member of the American Legion Post 121 of Waco, Texas.

After completing his military service, Sam attended 4-C College, University of Texas at Arlington, and Baylor University. He began a career at General Tire and Rubber Co. and Continental Tire where he was Supervisor of Testing in the Quality Control Department and retired after 39 years of service to the company in 1987.

Clyde married Ruth Higgins on March 20, 1952 at Highland Baptist Church. He was dearly loved by his family for his strength of character and gentle kindness. He was a wonderful Grandfather who readily participated in the events of his grandchildren’s lives and shared his wisdom along the way.

Clyde was a member of Columbus Ave. Baptist Church and a member of the Frank Wilson Sunday School Class. He also delivered for Meals on Wheels for many years.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Evelyn Westerfeld, and Zola Davis, his brother, Jerry Triplett, and his youngest daughter, Kerri Triplett Lehmann.

Clyde leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife of over 60 years, Ruth; daughter, Karen Triplett Harper, her husband Richard of Waco; grandchildren, Erin Harper Rideaux and husband, Trey; Evan Harper, and Jason Lehmann; his sister, Jo Ann Laughlin and husband, Bill; and sister-in-law Norma Jean Triplett as well as several nieces and nephews.

Honorary Pallbearers are members of the Frank Wilson Sunday School Class.

Pallbearers are Larry Dean, Byron Potter, Robert Laughlin, Kenneth Westerfeld, George Mirick, and Gary Johnson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Meals and Wheels, PO Box 85, Waco, TX 76703 or Providence Hospice, 4830 Lakewood Dr. #2, Waco, TX 76710.