Mr. James Edward Tripp, Sr. better known as "Jimmy" age 76, of Jefferson passed away Sunday morning, August 14, 2011 at Ashe Memorial Hospital. A celebration of life will be Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 1:00pm at Laurel Springs Baptist Church in Alleghany County with Rev. Dana Hines officiating. Military honors will be held at the church. Burial will be private. The family will receive friends following the celebration of life in the church fellowship hall. Mr. Tripp was born in Pitt County on Friday, January 25, 1935 to the late Jack W. and Mildred James Tripp. He served in the United States Navy during Korean War. He was a member of the American Legion Post #0275. He retired from Burroughs Wellcome Pharmaceutical Company, where he worked as an engineer. He was a member of Laurel Spring Baptist Church, where he once served as head usher. He loved the outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He is survived by his wife, Daphne Barnhill Tripp, of 55 years of marriage; a son, James Edward Tripp, Jr. better known as Jett and wife, Amy, of Wendell, NC; a daughter, Jerri Tripp, of Greensboro; two grandsons, Hunter Tripp, of Southern Pines, NC and Zach Tripp, of Wendell; his beagle dog, River also survive. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Gideons, PO Box 993, West Jefferson, NC 28694.