J.R. Triplett

J.R. Elton Triplett was born December 18, 1926 in Healdton, Oklahoma and died March 21, 2014, at 87 years of age. J.R. was preceded in death by his mother, Lilly Mae and his father, Lawson Triplett sisters, Lucille and Mable brothers, Loys Buck, Elzie Doc and Kenneth.

J.R. began school in Tishomingo, Ok and the family moved to Olustee, Ok when he was in the third grade. He grew up loving hunting and fishing.

In June 1945, J.R. entered the Army and received training at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas and Camp Maxey at Paris, Texas. He served in Pacific Theater of Operations. His unit, the 46th Engineers Construction Battalion arrived in Yokohama Harbor and was sent to Sendai, Japan. Later they were sent to Tokyo to help with reconstruction. His decorations and citations include AsiaticPacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal and Army of Occupation Medal.

After getting out of the Army he went back to Altus and worked for Wilson and Co. In 1951, he married Elsie Cain and they continued to live in Altus. In 1955, Elsie and J.R. moved to Fritch, Texas, where he went to work for Natural Gas Pipeline Company. In December 1955 their daughter, Sheila Yvonne was born. Elsie died in 1956.

In 1957, J.R. married Jewell Lookadoo of Fritch who had two children, Linda and Frank. Jewell also work for Natural Gas and they both continued to work there until they retired. Jewell and J.R. were married for 53 years until her death on January 26, 2011. J.R. and Jewell made a great team as community and church volunteers. There was never a job too big or too small for them to tackle. If there was a need within the community of Fritch, they were there to lend a hand. In 1994, Jewell and J.R. were chosen by KVII Channel 7 television in Amarillo as members of their Seven Who Care volunteer team. These volunteers were chosen from a list submitted by members of their community. J.R. had a high energy level and with a hammer, nails and saw could build almost anything any organization needed.

J.R. is survived by his daughters, Sheila Mick and her husband, Terry of Briscoe, TX and Linda Lookadoo of Fritch also his son, Frank Lookadoo and his wife, Mary from Mineola, TX. He has six living grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren, plus nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be held at 11 am Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at Calvary Baptist Church in Borger. Burial will follow at 12 noon in Memorial Park Cemetery in Amarillo under the direction of Minton Chatwell Funeral Directors of Fritch. The family will receive guests on Monday, March 24, 2014 from 68 pm at the funeral home in Fritch. Memorials may be made to Alzheimers Association, 1400 Wallace Blvd., Amarillo, TX 79106.