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- NEWPORT NEWS, VA- Ira David Triplett, Sr., 85, Newport News, Virginia passed away on Sunday, February 21, 2016 at his home with family by his side. He was born November 20, 1930 in Butler, Tennessee to the late John Franklin and Sarah Elizabeth Hicks Triplett. Ira married Charlene Kyte of Butler in 1959 at Hagerstown, Maryland. They were happily married for 56 years. He was passionate about his faith and devoted to his family.
Ira was drafted in the United States Army in 1952 to support the Korean War and went on to have a distinguished 20 year Career. His Military service was indicative of his life; a passion for learning. He started out as a heavy equipment dispatcher, transitioned to a heavy vehicle driver, converted to a combat medic, and finished his career as a helicopter crew chief. He served overseas assignments in Germany, Greenland, Hawaii, Italy, Korea, Okinawa and three tours in Vietnam where he earned two Air Medals for over 50 Aerial Missions in hostile territory in support of counter-insurgency operations. From 1969 to 1971, he served as Chief Electrical Engineer in President Richard Nixon's Presidential Flight Detachment, Army One and retired as a Sergeant First Class in 1972 at Fort Eustis, Virginia.
Ira began his second career in civil service at the Naval Air Rework Facility in Norfolk, Virginia, as an electrician on A-6 and F-14 aircraft after retiring from the military. He left civil service after 14 years in 1986 in pursuit of his entrepreneurial spirit. In 1986, he became self-employed and opened Big John's Citizens Band Sales, which operated in several locations in Newport News, Gloucester and Fredericksburg, Virginia. Ira sold CB radios, car boom boxes and stereo equipment at their peaks of popularity in the 1980s for a generation of customers.
In competition against big-box stores in the local area, Ira finally retired in 1995 but remained busy and connected to his expanding but displaced family by traveling across the United States to visit his sons John in Missouri and Shawn on various Army assignments.
Ira was a family man from humble beginnings in the Mountains of Tennessee that demanded a good work ethic and pursuit of higher learning from his children and grandchildren. His mantra, "to get a job, get an education, or join the military" will forever be passed down to future generations. He will forever be remembered for his love of family, strong will, and generosity to strangers. He was an avid animal lover and active member of the local American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) at 523 J. Clyde Morris Blvd in Newport News, Virginia. He adopted his three dogs, Baby, Shannon and a beagle named Hugo, from local shelters.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert Triplett, Dewie and Henry Hicks and his sisters: Ada Waycaster and Roxie.
Survivors include his wife: Charlene Kyte Triplett. His children: Ira David Triplett, Jr and wife Retha (Duffield) of Butler; John Triplett and wife Tammy (Hicks) of Kirksville, Missouri; Shawn Triplett and wife Isabella (Edwards), Tucson, Arizona; and Pamela Raines and husband Michael Raines, Newport News, Virginia; his grandchildren: Jordan, Deirdre, Ivan, Kyle, Kayla, Meghan and Jacob; his great grandchildren: Loki, Bradley, Jayce and Jayden and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
A Graveside Service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, June 24, 2016 in the Kyte Family Cemetery, Pine Orchard Road, Butler with Mr. Freddie Anderson officiating. Military Honors will be provided by the Tennessee National Guard.
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1930 - 2016 (85 years)
