This information is from the pages of an old scrapbook I bought at a flea market in Liberty Hill Texas 1 April 1989 ~~ Most of the articles were published in The San Saba News which I have copied as written ~ BJLW
SHOOTING ENDS LIFE OF OMAR TRIPP ~~ A LOVER OF CHILDREN
"He loved children ... he didn't have an enemy in the world... he was loved and respected by all"
So were the words of Mrs. Patty Tripp, wife of Omar Tripp who, at the age of 31 years, was unexplainedly shot down on the front porch of the Witharral High School where he had been a teacher for the past 10 years.
A 17-year-old Witharral High School student, Richardo Lopez of Littlefield "someone who had never given anyone any problems" was reported by news sources as having a brief discussion with Tripp before firing three quick shots from a 38-calibre pistol -- two of which struck Tripp in the back. (see obituary, page 2) "Those are the facts but more important to us are his accomplishments and his great love for children," explained Mrs. Tripp. "We just don't know what caused the boy to do what he did. He never had a bit of trouble with him."
A graduate of the 1963 class at Richland Springs, Malcom Omar Tripp was a young man on the move. Active in scouting during his youth he fondly spoke of his summer camping and was honored by becoming a member of the "Order of the Arrow."
After graduation Omar spent two years at San Angelo State, did some summer work at Howard Payne University and concluded his college education at Texas Tech where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education.
From there he went to Witharral starting as an Ag teacher for six years followed by two years of science and was finishing his second year as high school principal.
"Omar had just completed work on his Masters Degree," said Mrs. Tripp as she held her 21-month old Bonnie who was asleep in her arms. "He was to receive his Masters from Texas Tech in Education Administration."
While Tripp was deeply involved in teaching other childlren he was described as being the happiest when he could be home with his own Bonnie and 11 week old Joli.
"He was always so happy to get home to his own children," Mrs. Tripp said.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Tripp had taught Lopez -- Mrs. Tripp for two years before motherhood ended her teaching career. Tripp also taught Lopez for about three years and he was a regular rider on the school bus driven by Tripp.
According to Mrs. Tripp, Lopez had earlier inquired of the school counselor indicating a desire to join the Army but the Army required that he finish the ninth grade first.
According to news reports the final discussion between Tripp and Lopez was over his being ill. Tripp offered to take him home but Lopez said he wasn't that ill whereupon Tripp recommended he return to his class.
Shots were fired, Tripp fell and was pronounceed dead on arrival at the Levelland Hospital.
Lopez reportedly left the scene and went to a nearby grocery store run by Ray Caster, laid the pistol down on the counter saying that he had shot a man and that the police should be called.
According to Caster the youth acted extremely nervous and at one time said he didn't know what he was doing.
Hockley County Deputy Darrell Spence did not come up with a motive either. According to a report he said "the people we talked to have indicated there were no problems between the two."
The funeral was said to have been one of the largest ever held at Richland Springs with between a 150 and 200 having to stand outside of the packed church to pay tribute to a man who loved children -- Malcom Omar Tripp.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Obituary from The San Saba News 14 April 1977
OMAR TRIPP
A former resident of Richland Springs who was principal of Witharral High School died Thursday, April 7, as a result of gunshot wounds in his back in front of the school where he had taught for the past ten years.
Double services were held for Omar Tripp, 31, son of Mr. and Mrs. M.O. (Buster) Tripp of Richland Spring.
The first service was held in Witharral Baptist Church April 8, with Rev. Kenneth Harlan, pastor, officiating assisted by Rev. Clarence Tedder, a former pastor of the same church and now located at Smyer.
Pallbearers at Witharral were Marion Polk, Donny Polk, Louis McCormack, Jimmy Hilsaw, Don Stafford, Ernest Krisitnek, Glenn Howe, Alvin Doshier, Danny Grant and Bobby Grant.
The second service, under the direction of Howell-Doran Funeral Chapel was held in Richland Springs First Christian Church on the followinig day, April 9, with Rev. Ken Cole, pastor of the First Christian Church at Ruidoso, N.M. and former minister at the First Christian Church in Richland Springs. He was assisted by the Rev. Thurman Boswell, pastor of the First Christian Church in Richland Springs.
Pallbearers were R.C. (Cubby) Pearce, Frank Pearce, Billy Pearce, T. Noel Wood, Gary Pearce, Kenneth McHorse, Sam Sloan, Joe Ellis Jr., and Sheral Sanford with all of the Witharral pallbearers as honorary pallbearers.
Interment was in Richland Springs Cemetery.
Omar was born July 1, 1945 at Odessa. He married the former Patty Pearce in Richland Springs on August 12, 1967.
He was a member of the Texas State Teachers Association, NEA, Texas Association of School Administrators, Texas Small Schools Assn., Witharral Young Farmers and Witharral Volunteer Fire Department.
Survivors include his wife and parents, two daughters, Bonnie 21 months and Joli 11 weeks; two sisters, Mrs. Sue Sanford of Lubbock and Mrs. Patsy Ellis of Throckmorton and his grandmother Mrs. Zula Tripp of Monahans.
SHOOTING ENDS LIFE OF OMAR TRIPP ~~ A LOVER OF CHILDREN
"He loved children ... he didn't have an enemy in the world... he was loved and respected by all"
So were the words of Mrs. Patty Tripp, wife of Omar Tripp who, at the age of 31 years, was unexplainedly shot down on the front porch of the Witharral High School where he had been a teacher for the past 10 years.
A 17-year-old Witharral High School student, Richardo Lopez of Littlefield "someone who had never given anyone any problems" was reported by news sources as having a brief discussion with Tripp before firing three quick shots from a 38-calibre pistol -- two of which struck Tripp in the back. (see obituary, page 2) "Those are the facts but more important to us are his accomplishments and his great love for children," explained Mrs. Tripp. "We just don't know what caused the boy to do what he did. He never had a bit of trouble with him."
A graduate of the 1963 class at Richland Springs, Malcom Omar Tripp was a young man on the move. Active in scouting during his youth he fondly spoke of his summer camping and was honored by becoming a member of the "Order of the Arrow."
After graduation Omar spent two years at San Angelo State, did some summer work at Howard Payne University and concluded his college education at Texas Tech where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education.
From there he went to Witharral starting as an Ag teacher for six years followed by two years of science and was finishing his second year as high school principal.
"Omar had just completed work on his Masters Degree," said Mrs. Tripp as she held her 21-month old Bonnie who was asleep in her arms. "He was to receive his Masters from Texas Tech in Education Administration."
While Tripp was deeply involved in teaching other childlren he was described as being the happiest when he could be home with his own Bonnie and 11 week old Joli.
"He was always so happy to get home to his own children," Mrs. Tripp said.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Tripp had taught Lopez -- Mrs. Tripp for two years before motherhood ended her teaching career. Tripp also taught Lopez for about three years and he was a regular rider on the school bus driven by Tripp.
According to Mrs. Tripp, Lopez had earlier inquired of the school counselor indicating a desire to join the Army but the Army required that he finish the ninth grade first.
According to news reports the final discussion between Tripp and Lopez was over his being ill. Tripp offered to take him home but Lopez said he wasn't that ill whereupon Tripp recommended he return to his class.
Shots were fired, Tripp fell and was pronounceed dead on arrival at the Levelland Hospital.
Lopez reportedly left the scene and went to a nearby grocery store run by Ray Caster, laid the pistol down on the counter saying that he had shot a man and that the police should be called.
According to Caster the youth acted extremely nervous and at one time said he didn't know what he was doing.
Hockley County Deputy Darrell Spence did not come up with a motive either. According to a report he said "the people we talked to have indicated there were no problems between the two."
The funeral was said to have been one of the largest ever held at Richland Springs with between a 150 and 200 having to stand outside of the packed church to pay tribute to a man who loved children -- Malcom Omar Tripp.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Obituary from The San Saba News 14 April 1977
OMAR TRIPP
A former resident of Richland Springs who was principal of Witharral High School died Thursday, April 7, as a result of gunshot wounds in his back in front of the school where he had taught for the past ten years.
Double services were held for Omar Tripp, 31, son of Mr. and Mrs. M.O. (Buster) Tripp of Richland Spring.
The first service was held in Witharral Baptist Church April 8, with Rev. Kenneth Harlan, pastor, officiating assisted by Rev. Clarence Tedder, a former pastor of the same church and now located at Smyer.
Pallbearers at Witharral were Marion Polk, Donny Polk, Louis McCormack, Jimmy Hilsaw, Don Stafford, Ernest Krisitnek, Glenn Howe, Alvin Doshier, Danny Grant and Bobby Grant.
The second service, under the direction of Howell-Doran Funeral Chapel was held in Richland Springs First Christian Church on the followinig day, April 9, with Rev. Ken Cole, pastor of the First Christian Church at Ruidoso, N.M. and former minister at the First Christian Church in Richland Springs. He was assisted by the Rev. Thurman Boswell, pastor of the First Christian Church in Richland Springs.
Pallbearers were R.C. (Cubby) Pearce, Frank Pearce, Billy Pearce, T. Noel Wood, Gary Pearce, Kenneth McHorse, Sam Sloan, Joe Ellis Jr., and Sheral Sanford with all of the Witharral pallbearers as honorary pallbearers.
Interment was in Richland Springs Cemetery.
Omar was born July 1, 1945 at Odessa. He married the former Patty Pearce in Richland Springs on August 12, 1967.
He was a member of the Texas State Teachers Association, NEA, Texas Association of School Administrators, Texas Small Schools Assn., Witharral Young Farmers and Witharral Volunteer Fire Department.
Survivors include his wife and parents, two daughters, Bonnie 21 months and Joli 11 weeks; two sisters, Mrs. Sue Sanford of Lubbock and Mrs. Patsy Ellis of Throckmorton and his grandmother Mrs. Zula Tripp of Monahans.
This information is from the pages of an old scrapbook I bought at a flea market in Liberty Hill Texas 1 April 1989 ~~ Most of the articles were published in The San Saba News which I have copied as written ~ BJLW
SHOOTING ENDS LIFE OF OMAR TRIPP ~~ A LOVER OF CHILDREN
"He loved children ... he didn't have an enemy in the world... he was loved and respected by all"
So were the words of Mrs. Patty Tripp, wife of Omar Tripp who, at the age of 31 years, was unexplainedly shot down on the front porch of the Witharral High School where he had been a teacher for the past 10 years.
A 17-year-old Witharral High School student, Richardo Lopez of Littlefield "someone who had never given anyone any problems" was reported by news sources as having a brief discussion with Tripp before firing three quick shots from a 38-calibre pistol -- two of which struck Tripp in the back. (see obituary, page 2) "Those are the facts but more important to us are his accomplishments and his great love for children," explained Mrs. Tripp. "We just don't know what caused the boy to do what he did. He never had a bit of trouble with him."
A graduate of the 1963 class at Richland Springs, Malcom Omar Tripp was a young man on the move. Active in scouting during his youth he fondly spoke of his summer camping and was honored by becoming a member of the "Order of the Arrow."
After graduation Omar spent two years at San Angelo State, did some summer work at Howard Payne University and concluded his college education at Texas Tech where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education.
From there he went to Witharral starting as an Ag teacher for six years followed by two years of science and was finishing his second year as high school principal.
"Omar had just completed work on his Masters Degree," said Mrs. Tripp as she held her 21-month old Bonnie who was asleep in her arms. "He was to receive his Masters from Texas Tech in Education Administration."
While Tripp was deeply involved in teaching other childlren he was described as being the happiest when he could be home with his own Bonnie and 11 week old Joli.
"He was always so happy to get home to his own children," Mrs. Tripp said.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Tripp had taught Lopez -- Mrs. Tripp for two years before motherhood ended her teaching career. Tripp also taught Lopez for about three years and he was a regular rider on the school bus driven by Tripp.
According to Mrs. Tripp, Lopez had earlier inquired of the school counselor indicating a desire to join the Army but the Army required that he finish the ninth grade first.
According to news reports the final discussion between Tripp and Lopez was over his being ill. Tripp offered to take him home but Lopez said he wasn't that ill whereupon Tripp recommended he return to his class.
Shots were fired, Tripp fell and was pronounceed dead on arrival at the Levelland Hospital.
Lopez reportedly left the scene and went to a nearby grocery store run by Ray Caster, laid the pistol down on the counter saying that he had shot a man and that the police should be called.
According to Caster the youth acted extremely nervous and at one time said he didn't know what he was doing.
Hockley County Deputy Darrell Spence did not come up with a motive either. According to a report he said "the people we talked to have indicated there were no problems between the two."
The funeral was said to have been one of the largest ever held at Richland Springs with between a 150 and 200 having to stand outside of the packed church to pay tribute to a man who loved children -- Malcom Omar Tripp.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Obituary from The San Saba News 14 April 1977
OMAR TRIPP
A former resident of Richland Springs who was principal of Witharral High School died Thursday, April 7, as a result of gunshot wounds in his back in front of the school where he had taught for the past ten years.
Double services were held for Omar Tripp, 31, son of Mr. and Mrs. M.O. (Buster) Tripp of Richland Spring.
The first service was held in Witharral Baptist Church April 8, with Rev. Kenneth Harlan, pastor, officiating assisted by Rev. Clarence Tedder, a former pastor of the same church and now located at Smyer.
Pallbearers at Witharral were Marion Polk, Donny Polk, Louis McCormack, Jimmy Hilsaw, Don Stafford, Ernest Krisitnek, Glenn Howe, Alvin Doshier, Danny Grant and Bobby Grant.
The second service, under the direction of Howell-Doran Funeral Chapel was held in Richland Springs First Christian Church on the followinig day, April 9, with Rev. Ken Cole, pastor of the First Christian Church at Ruidoso, N.M. and former minister at the First Christian Church in Richland Springs. He was assisted by the Rev. Thurman Boswell, pastor of the First Christian Church in Richland Springs.
Pallbearers were R.C. (Cubby) Pearce, Frank Pearce, Billy Pearce, T. Noel Wood, Gary Pearce, Kenneth McHorse, Sam Sloan, Joe Ellis Jr., and Sheral Sanford with all of the Witharral pallbearers as honorary pallbearers.
Interment was in Richland Springs Cemetery.
Omar was born July 1, 1945 at Odessa. He married the former Patty Pearce in Richland Springs on August 12, 1967.
He was a member of the Texas State Teachers Association, NEA, Texas Association of School Administrators, Texas Small Schools Assn., Witharral Young Farmers and Witharral Volunteer Fire Department.
Survivors include his wife and parents, two daughters, Bonnie 21 months and Joli 11 weeks; two sisters, Mrs. Sue Sanford of Lubbock and Mrs. Patsy Ellis of Throckmorton and his grandmother Mrs. Zula Tripp of Monahans.
SHOOTING ENDS LIFE OF OMAR TRIPP ~~ A LOVER OF CHILDREN
"He loved children ... he didn't have an enemy in the world... he was loved and respected by all"
So were the words of Mrs. Patty Tripp, wife of Omar Tripp who, at the age of 31 years, was unexplainedly shot down on the front porch of the Witharral High School where he had been a teacher for the past 10 years.
A 17-year-old Witharral High School student, Richardo Lopez of Littlefield "someone who had never given anyone any problems" was reported by news sources as having a brief discussion with Tripp before firing three quick shots from a 38-calibre pistol -- two of which struck Tripp in the back. (see obituary, page 2) "Those are the facts but more important to us are his accomplishments and his great love for children," explained Mrs. Tripp. "We just don't know what caused the boy to do what he did. He never had a bit of trouble with him."
A graduate of the 1963 class at Richland Springs, Malcom Omar Tripp was a young man on the move. Active in scouting during his youth he fondly spoke of his summer camping and was honored by becoming a member of the "Order of the Arrow."
After graduation Omar spent two years at San Angelo State, did some summer work at Howard Payne University and concluded his college education at Texas Tech where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education.
From there he went to Witharral starting as an Ag teacher for six years followed by two years of science and was finishing his second year as high school principal.
"Omar had just completed work on his Masters Degree," said Mrs. Tripp as she held her 21-month old Bonnie who was asleep in her arms. "He was to receive his Masters from Texas Tech in Education Administration."
While Tripp was deeply involved in teaching other childlren he was described as being the happiest when he could be home with his own Bonnie and 11 week old Joli.
"He was always so happy to get home to his own children," Mrs. Tripp said.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Tripp had taught Lopez -- Mrs. Tripp for two years before motherhood ended her teaching career. Tripp also taught Lopez for about three years and he was a regular rider on the school bus driven by Tripp.
According to Mrs. Tripp, Lopez had earlier inquired of the school counselor indicating a desire to join the Army but the Army required that he finish the ninth grade first.
According to news reports the final discussion between Tripp and Lopez was over his being ill. Tripp offered to take him home but Lopez said he wasn't that ill whereupon Tripp recommended he return to his class.
Shots were fired, Tripp fell and was pronounceed dead on arrival at the Levelland Hospital.
Lopez reportedly left the scene and went to a nearby grocery store run by Ray Caster, laid the pistol down on the counter saying that he had shot a man and that the police should be called.
According to Caster the youth acted extremely nervous and at one time said he didn't know what he was doing.
Hockley County Deputy Darrell Spence did not come up with a motive either. According to a report he said "the people we talked to have indicated there were no problems between the two."
The funeral was said to have been one of the largest ever held at Richland Springs with between a 150 and 200 having to stand outside of the packed church to pay tribute to a man who loved children -- Malcom Omar Tripp.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Obituary from The San Saba News 14 April 1977
OMAR TRIPP
A former resident of Richland Springs who was principal of Witharral High School died Thursday, April 7, as a result of gunshot wounds in his back in front of the school where he had taught for the past ten years.
Double services were held for Omar Tripp, 31, son of Mr. and Mrs. M.O. (Buster) Tripp of Richland Spring.
The first service was held in Witharral Baptist Church April 8, with Rev. Kenneth Harlan, pastor, officiating assisted by Rev. Clarence Tedder, a former pastor of the same church and now located at Smyer.
Pallbearers at Witharral were Marion Polk, Donny Polk, Louis McCormack, Jimmy Hilsaw, Don Stafford, Ernest Krisitnek, Glenn Howe, Alvin Doshier, Danny Grant and Bobby Grant.
The second service, under the direction of Howell-Doran Funeral Chapel was held in Richland Springs First Christian Church on the followinig day, April 9, with Rev. Ken Cole, pastor of the First Christian Church at Ruidoso, N.M. and former minister at the First Christian Church in Richland Springs. He was assisted by the Rev. Thurman Boswell, pastor of the First Christian Church in Richland Springs.
Pallbearers were R.C. (Cubby) Pearce, Frank Pearce, Billy Pearce, T. Noel Wood, Gary Pearce, Kenneth McHorse, Sam Sloan, Joe Ellis Jr., and Sheral Sanford with all of the Witharral pallbearers as honorary pallbearers.
Interment was in Richland Springs Cemetery.
Omar was born July 1, 1945 at Odessa. He married the former Patty Pearce in Richland Springs on August 12, 1967.
He was a member of the Texas State Teachers Association, NEA, Texas Association of School Administrators, Texas Small Schools Assn., Witharral Young Farmers and Witharral Volunteer Fire Department.
Survivors include his wife and parents, two daughters, Bonnie 21 months and Joli 11 weeks; two sisters, Mrs. Sue Sanford of Lubbock and Mrs. Patsy Ellis of Throckmorton and his grandmother Mrs. Zula Tripp of Monahans.
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