Wendell Gail “Trip” Triplett

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Wendell Gail “Trip” Triplett, 80, Carl Junction, Missouri, passed away peacefully Tuesday morning, May 11, 2021 at his home, surrounded by his family.

Trip was born February 5, 1941 in Liberty, Illinois, the son of the late Wendell Edward Triplett and Emma Laverne (Whitaker) Triplett. He was a 1959 graduate of Quincy High School, Quincy, Illinois, where he played for the Blue Devils football team, and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Quincy College. He married the love of his life, Terry Clifton, on June 27, 1959 in Palmyra, Missouri. Trip worked in human resources for Motorola, based in Schaumburg, Illinois, and Superior Industries in Pittsburg, Kansas.

A federally licensed gun dealer for many years, Trip started Circle T Collectibles in 1985 in Joplin as a part-time concern. He specialized in guns, militaria, and Native American artifacts. A decade later he moved the business to Carl Junction. He retired from Superior Industries in 2003, and the next year, he attended Missouri Auctioneer School in St. Louis, fulfilling a lifelong ambition. After graduating from auctioneer school, Trip made Circle T Collectibles a full-time business and added Carl Junction Auction Service.

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People came from all over the United States to see his shop and make a deal. Trip was a serious collector of firearms and Native American artifacts, a passion he developed as a boy on his grandfather’s farm, and his shop was a showplace. He had an expert knowledge of guns, artifacts, and military history, and people often brought him items they couldn’t identify. Some who arrived as customers left as friends.

An avid sportsman, Trip was a proud lifetime member of the NRA and a strong advocate for gun safety and the right to keep and bear arms. He was also a member of BNI, Joplin Rifle Club, and Central Baptist Church in Quincy. Over the course of his career, he received numerous honors and awards.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Terry Triplett; three sons, Craig Alan Triplett, Alexandria, Virginia; Curtis Gail Triplett (Melissa), Carl Junction, Missouri; and Chris Edward Triplett (Patty), Carthage, Missouri; six grandchildren, Natasha Farmer (Jesse), Galena, Kansas; Aaron Lane, Nashville, Tennessee; Mason Clark, Ft. Drum, New York; Chris Triplett, Jr. (Crystal), Joplin, Missouri; Carissa Triplett, Carthage, Missouri; and Caleb Triplett, Carthage, Missouri; two great-grandchildren, Abel Farmer and Axel Farmer; three brothers, Ronald Triplett, Quincy, Illinois; Donald Triplett (Carolyn), Quincy, Illinois; and Terry Triplett (Christine), Olympia, Washington; and his beloved dog, Sarge.

Per Trip’s wishes, there was cremation. The family will hold a celebration of life 4-6 pm, Tuesday, May 18, 2021 in front of Circle T Collectibles and Carl Junction Auction Service, 118 S. Main St., Carl Junction, MO 64834. Memorial gifts are suggested to Disabled American Veterans, American Diabetes Association, or the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation in care of Knell Mortuary. Online condolences may be expressed through www.knellmortuary.com.

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