Beloved husband, father, brother, family and friend, Randall Tripp left this world on March 5, 2026, after a valiant battle with cancer. He is now at peace in his heavenly home catching up with many beloved family members especially the baby we never got to meet here on earth, as well as many dear friends.
Randy was born in Bay City, Michigan, to Glenn and Ruby Tripp, where he lived until going away to MSU to finish his degree. He met his wife, Kathleen, on campus and was hooked after a thank you gift of chocolate chip cookies for fixing her bike! After graduating, Randy joined VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) where he used his criminal justice degree in New York City working in the city prison. A year later, Kathy finished at MSU and they were married on September 9, 1973, in Rochester, Michigan. Kathy joined him in NYC where they lived for a year. Once Randy completed his VISTA term, they returned to Michigan where he attended the Michigan State Police Academy and became a State Trooper. He was assigned to the Blissfield Post. During his 25 years as a trooper, Randy also worked at the Adrian Post and for a short time at the Detroit freeway post.
Randy was picked to be part of the first group of Michigan police officers to be trained in the DARE program. He met and taught children in most of the Lenawee County schools. Randy retired from MSP in 2000.
He enjoyed being with his family, traveling, running long-distance and playing chess. Randy was always willing to lend a hand to anyone who needed a little help. Before his illness, he was a faithful driver for the Department on Aging home delivered meals program where he enjoyed meeting people and their dogs!
He is survived by his wife, Kathy; children, Justin (Rocio) Tripp, Sara Tripp and Holly (Nate) Owen; as well as grandchildren, Makenna, Mason, Joshua, Noah, Elijah and Hannah; great-grandchildren, Bella, Noah and Mateo; brother, Glenn (Ellen) Tripp; nieces and nephew, Jill Tripp, Jeff Tripp, Heather Patton, Taylor Frost, Emily Patton and their families.
The family would like to say thanks to the wonderful health staff who took care of Randy at Toledo Hospital and Hickman Hospital; as well as the staff from Elara Caring, Department on Aging and Hospice of Lenawee. You made a difference!
Visitation will be held on Monday, March 9, 2026, from 3 to 6 PM at Wagley Funeral Home, Adrian. Funeral services for Randy will take place on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 10 AM at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Tecumseh, MI. Private burial will take place at Oakwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Randy’s memory to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Tecumseh or Hospice of Lenawee.
Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHomes.com.
Randy was born in Bay City, Michigan, to Glenn and Ruby Tripp, where he lived until going away to MSU to finish his degree. He met his wife, Kathleen, on campus and was hooked after a thank you gift of chocolate chip cookies for fixing her bike! After graduating, Randy joined VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) where he used his criminal justice degree in New York City working in the city prison. A year later, Kathy finished at MSU and they were married on September 9, 1973, in Rochester, Michigan. Kathy joined him in NYC where they lived for a year. Once Randy completed his VISTA term, they returned to Michigan where he attended the Michigan State Police Academy and became a State Trooper. He was assigned to the Blissfield Post. During his 25 years as a trooper, Randy also worked at the Adrian Post and for a short time at the Detroit freeway post.
Randy was picked to be part of the first group of Michigan police officers to be trained in the DARE program. He met and taught children in most of the Lenawee County schools. Randy retired from MSP in 2000.
He enjoyed being with his family, traveling, running long-distance and playing chess. Randy was always willing to lend a hand to anyone who needed a little help. Before his illness, he was a faithful driver for the Department on Aging home delivered meals program where he enjoyed meeting people and their dogs!
He is survived by his wife, Kathy; children, Justin (Rocio) Tripp, Sara Tripp and Holly (Nate) Owen; as well as grandchildren, Makenna, Mason, Joshua, Noah, Elijah and Hannah; great-grandchildren, Bella, Noah and Mateo; brother, Glenn (Ellen) Tripp; nieces and nephew, Jill Tripp, Jeff Tripp, Heather Patton, Taylor Frost, Emily Patton and their families.
The family would like to say thanks to the wonderful health staff who took care of Randy at Toledo Hospital and Hickman Hospital; as well as the staff from Elara Caring, Department on Aging and Hospice of Lenawee. You made a difference!
Visitation will be held on Monday, March 9, 2026, from 3 to 6 PM at Wagley Funeral Home, Adrian. Funeral services for Randy will take place on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 10 AM at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Tecumseh, MI. Private burial will take place at Oakwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Randy’s memory to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Tecumseh or Hospice of Lenawee.
Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHomes.com.
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