Joe Speight Tripp, of Raleigh, NC, Wilmington, NC, and North Myrtle Beach, SC, finished his earthly pilgrimage on July 29, 2018. His faith and hope are now a reality and he lives in the presence of our Lord. His survivors include his daughter Amanda (Nate) and his son Jason (Mary) and grandchildren Caleb and Matthew who were the joys of his life.
He is also survived by his sweetheart Barbara, his brother Lewis (Charlene), mother of his children Donna, his “sister” Ann, and his special nephews, nieces, and cousins. Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday August 4, 2018 at 3pm at Ayden Christian Church, 462 2nd Street, Ayden, NC 28513. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Ayden Christian Church or American Cancer Society (P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123) in Joe’s memory.
Otherwise, Joe would hope that you would do an unexpected and unsolicited act of kindness for some unfortunate soul in his memory. The Story: Joe Speight, professional banker and amateur carpenter, plumber, and electrician, took pride in building strong relationships with his family and friends. He took extreme pride in his two grandchildren Joe Caleb (6) and Matthew Elias (4) for whom he would quack like Donald Duck on his phone calls.
He excelled at celebrating the Fourth of July, growing plants and herbs, building docks, and being the ultimate handyman. He ensured all his children had well stocked tool kits. He was a lover of football and golf…who hits a hole in one and wins a car?
! He loved to crank up the music regardless of jamming to beach music or watching The Voice on television. Joe was locally sourcing his food years before chefs in North Carolina started using cilantro and arugula (both of which he hated).
His signature dish of spaghetti, he procured 100% all canned tomatoes, ground beef from the freshest corner store, and a million and one spices. He had a life-long love affair with deviled eggs, chicken salad, BBQ, chicken pastry, and chocolate meringue pie. Joe never met a stranger.
He loved the Carolina Shag and the opportunity that it afforded him with many lady friends. One of the best things his mother ever did was put him in dance class at the early age of 11. All the girls noticed when Joe walked in, excited and hopeful they would get to dance with him.
He frequently met up with hundreds of friends at the Pavilion and Fat Harold’s after having their famous burger and fries. Joe loved his beach friends, music, and dancing. Occasionally, his friends, with a little coaxing and bikini enticements, could get him to spend time on the sand.
Wherever he could find his friends, you would find Joe. Thanks to Glenna, this poem says it all: Once upon a midnight clear, I walked in Duck’s and saw you there. It was very late, the place was slow, So off to the dance floor, we both did go.
Our steps were light, and then the cha, cha And our laughter could be heard, ha…ha…ha…ha… Our friendship was instant and to this day I think of you when those songs are played Just remember you have a friend close by Who is praying for you, cause you’re one special guy! To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Joe Speight Tripp please visit our Sympathy Store.
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