James Carson Triplett

James Carson Triplett, Major, United States Army Retired, 87, passed away March 30, 2018. 

Major Triplett, affectionately known as “Jim”, “Trip”, “Major”, and “Grandy” was loved by all who knew him. He grew up in Lenoir, North Carolina, and the Beaver Creek community in Wilkes County, North Carolina.  He entered the United States Army as a 17-year-old Private on September 18, 1947.  Shortly after, he met and married the love of his life, Sarah.  She was a true soldier’s wife to him as he served 24 years in the army, rising through the ranks from Private to Major.  He was a proud and valiant soldier whose service included tours of duty in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., four years in the Panama Canal Zone, and in five of the six army areas located in the United States. He was highly decorated including being awarded the Bronze Medal. Following his retirement from the Army, he moved to his wife’s hometown of Florence, Alabama, where he and his family owned and operated Triplett’s Furniture Fashions located on Florence Boulevard. Following his retirement from the furniture business, he began another career as a “professional grandparent”. 

Major Triplett attended Georgia State University, San Francisco State University, and after his retirement attended the University of North Alabama.  While at UNA, he cultivated his love of the Spanish language, and spent a summer as a foreign exchange student in Spain. Trip loved life and lived it to the fullest.  He enjoyed many years playing golf, riding horses, dirt bikes, and motorcycles, including cross-country trips on his motorcycle. He loved starting each day with his beloved Men’s Breakfast Group, spent many hours shooting pool with friends at the Florence Senior Citizen’s Center, and was a member of St. James United Methodist Church. One of his favorite memories was of summers spent with his wife, daughters, and grandchildren traveling throughout the United States in his RV.  Over the course of 18 summers, they visited all 48 states in the continental United States.

Major Triplett is survived by his wife of 67 years, Sarah Alice James Triplett of Florence, two daughters, and six grandchildren.  Daughter Rebecca Leigh Triplett Jones lives in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, with her husband, Dr. Steven E. Jones, and their three sons, Matthew Steven Jones, James Michael Jones, and Mark Allen Jones.  Daughter Susan Kaye Triplett Anderson lives in Florence, Alabama, with her husband, Terry C. Anderson, and their children Carson Caine Anderson, Bentley Barbour Anderson and Keaton Carroll Anderson.  Major Triplett is also survived by his sister, Billie Sue Triplett Isbell of Fuquay -Varina, North Carolina, his brother, Raymond R. Triplett, Jr. (Sandy), of Lenoir, North Carolina and Afton, Wyoming, and his sister-in-law Martha Harriett James of Florence, Alabama. He is preceded in death by his father, Raymond R. Triplett, Sr., and his mother Ann Marley Triplett Brawley, both of Lenoir, North Carolina, and his sister, Sarah Jean Triplett Caldwell, of Summerville, South Carolina.  

Trip loved God, his family, his country, and his friends.  He will always be remembered by his joyful smile and for his loving heart. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to Beaver Creek Baptist Church, 173 Beaver Creek Road, Ferguson, North Carolina, 28624, or to the Wounded Warrior Project. Major Triplett will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. The family will be receiving visitors at his home on Tuesday, April 3rd, from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

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