David Tripp

David Lenard Dave Tripp, 66, of Cascade, MT, a retired diesel mechanic and fabricator, passed away Saturday, October 11th from natural causes at a local nursing home.David was born May 14th, 1948 in Great Falls, MT to Carl and Delphine Tripp. He attended Charles M. Russell High School and was employed in various automotive and mechanics positions and was an avid hot rodder and fabricator. David married Bettye Tripp on October 10, 1971 The two raised three children, Joseph, Georgeann, and Cody. Dave spent many years as an owner operator truck driver, then shifted to diesel mechanic work for the balance of his career. He was a well-respected diesel mechanic and fabricator in and around Great Falls. He retired as shop foreman from Great Falls Redi-Mix. He enjoyed hunting in the Little Belt mountains and fishing at Tiber with his family, and holding court with his friends at his shop in Cascade. He was inseparable from his younger brother Dan. Above all else, Dave was a devoted Pop to his grandchildren and newborn great-grandchild and Uncle Dave to his nieces and nephews.Dave is survived by his wife Bettye, sons Joseph (Leslie) Tripp of Great Falls, and Cody (Kally) Tripp of Helena, daughter Georgeann (Rick) Gates of Cascade, brother Dan Tripp of Great Falls and sisters Judy Johnson of Florence, MT, and Joanne Tripp of Cascade; sister-in-law Nan Bryant of Butte; grandsons Michael Tripp of Great Falls and David Tripp of Brooklyn, NY; Tyler Tripp of Helena and Jason Tripp of Great Falls; granddaughters Allison Gates of Cascade, Samantha Tripp and Amanda Tripp of Great Falls, and Haylee Tripp of Helena; great-grandson Daniel David Tripp of Great Falls, nieces Lyra Kester of Florence, Suzanne Crist of Boise, and Kristen Bryant of Great Falls; nephews Dean Knaup of Stockett, Jeff Knaup of Great Falls, Daniel Schrecengost of Spokane, WA and Damon Schrecengost of Cascade, MT; and numerous grand-nieces and nephews and cousins.Dave was preceded in death by his father Carl Tripp, mother Delphine Tripp, and brother George Tripp.Condolences may be posted online at www.schniderfuneralhome.com.