Thomas "Len" Leonard Trippe

            Thomas Leonard “Len” Trippe, age 83, of Black Mountain, NC, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, July 19, 2021. He was born on August 26, 1937, in Mansfield, Louisiana, to the late George Edward Trippe and Mary Kathryn McIver Trippe. Len earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at Centenary College of Louisiana in Shreveport and then he went on to earn his Master of Divinity Degree at Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. He worked for thirty plus years with the YMCA and held many different positions there. Before his retirement, he had worked his way up to Executive Director.

            Len was an active member in the United Methodist Church having served as lay leader, choir director, Sunday School teacher, and chair of various committees. He volunteered on several mission trips within the United States and one trip to Chile. He was also an avid outdoor sportsman. He enjoyed boating, fishing, snow skiing, hiking and just being outside. He really loved planning big family get togethers. Every Thanksgiving was a special time to have a fun vacation with his children and grandchildren. The whole family loved to go to the mountains or to the beach and enjoy spending quality time with each other.

            In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Edward Trippe. Those left behind to cherish his memory are his wife of 64 years, Llewellyn “Lilwyn” Trippe; a son, Thomas E. Trippe (Terry) of Sherwood, AR; two daughters, Karen Tindell (Bill) of Athens, TN and Ann Lucas (Lamar) of Jacksonville, FL; a sister, Kay Trippe Hawthorne (Bob) of Baton Rouge, LA;  eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

            A celebration of life for Len will be held at 2:30pm, Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at the Black Mountain United Methodist Church. Len’s family respectfully requests any memorial contributions please be made to Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry at 101 N. Ridgeway Avenue, Black Mountain, NC 28711.

            Penland Family Funeral Home is honored to be caring for the Trippe Family and assisting them with arrangements.

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