Phillip Leland Tripp Sr., born December 19, 1951, was called home on January 19, 2024. Born in Crescent City, son of Amos and Violet (Donahue) Tripp, he was the youngest of five brothers. Phillip grew up in Klamath-Terwer and often spoke fondly about memories of exploring the outdoors, playing sports with good friends (even setting some Del Norte County sports records in his day), and simple pleasures like swimming, picking berries, and listening to vinyl records. In his stories it was always clear how much he looked up to his older brothers. Many knew Phillip as a strong Karuk dancer and as the “jump in the middle” guy. However, Phillip was also a rather humble person who often worked behind the scenes. He lifted people’s spirits with his witty one-liners as well as his words of wisdom. One of his favorite mottos was “living life by the drop,” a lyric from Stevie Ray Vaughn. Phillip believed in squeezing the most out of every day and every moment, and always encouraged others to “go for it!” He touched many hearts with his warm smile and his strong sense of spirituality.

Phillip was deeply moved by his experience at the Wounded Knee Uprising in 1973, where he said he felt freedom for the first time. There he participated in a sacred sweat lodge ceremony with spiritual leader Wallace Black Elk, and he prayed for the Karuk people and all the tribes of California to once again be full and renewed in the old ways. When he returned, he set out to fulfill this vision with his brothers, and collectively they played an important role in the return of the Karuk Brush Dance. When the Karuk Brush Dance came back to Ka’tim’îin in 1974, the elders that were present recognized this was how it was long ago. During Phillip’s final days he reflected with his family on his spiritual journey, and the following is his truth that he shared with us. He reflected on the sacred sweat lodge ceremony he participated in at Wounded Knee, and the Ghost Dance that he also witnessed there. He shared that the Karuk Tribe also had a Ghost Dance in the 1850s after the genocide and gold rush. His family helped hold the Ghost Dance in the face of great danger, in order to protect the people and the land. He realized how meaningful this experience was to have been able to bridge the connection between the Wounded Knee Ghost Dance and the Karuk Ghost Dance in California. He told us, “They wanted to kill our religion. We are Salmon people; we were salmon people all the way through this region because Alaska all the way down to Mexico had salmon. We believe there was a race of people here before us, that left us our ceremonies before they left Earth. Know that they are leaving out the real history of California for a reason and the salmon is for everybody.” He felt in his heart that his prayers had been fulfilled, and his vision for the future was that our people would only continue to flourish.

Survived by wife Rosemarie Tripp; sons Justin and Phillip Tripp Jr.; daughter Angelica Tripp; brother Leroy (Sue) Tripp; brother David (Jan) Tripp; sister Helen Ann (Pat) Suri; sister-in-law Maria Tripp (Amos’ wife) and many cousins, nieces, and nephews who he loved dearly. Preceded in death by parents Amos and Violet (Donahue) Tripp; brother Amos (Maria) Tripp; brother Brian D. Tripp.

Memorial service will be held on March 30, at Azalea Hall in McKinleyville, starting at 12 p.m. His remains will be interred locally in a private ceremony. Please feel free to reach out to David Tripp with any questions: davidtripp1968@gmail.com.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Phillip Tripp’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.