Clark Tripp Jr.

Haskel "Clark" Tripp Jr. of East Moline passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, November 4, 2023, after a brief illness. He was born in Arcadia Township to Haskel and Marion (French) Tripp on April 21, 1935.  He grew up in his beloved Lapeer, Michigan where he was known as Junior.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, November 13, 2023, at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., Moline. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until service time. We will also be honoring the life of Gloria J. Tripp, who passed away on December 26, 2020. All are welcome to attend and celebrate both Clark and Gloria. The funeral service will be live streamed, and the link can be found at the bottom of the obituary page. Private family burial will be held at the Rock Island National Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Christ United Methodist Church food pantry.

Clark served in the United States Army 1956-1958 as a combat engineer. He started at Deere & Company in 1959. While working for Deere in Ankeny, IA, he also attended Drake University where he graduated in 1964 with a B.S. in Business Administration.

After working ten years for Deere in Iowa, Clark was transferred to the Quad Cities and worked at headquarters and then the Milan facility. He retired as Division Manager in Parts Systems Development after 33 years at the company.

Clark married Gloria Elliott on July 29, 1961. They were married 59 years until her death in 2020. He is survived by daughter Toni Tripp, son David Tripp, daughter Stacey (Randy) Biggiam; grandchildren, Austin Tripp, Olivia Biggiam and Drew Tripp; sisters-in-law Joyce Tripp, Peggy Tripp, Sharon (Ken) Janes, Judy Robison and brother-in-law Frank (Sue) Courtney, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his wife Gloria; his beloved family; parents, Haskel and Marion; sister Barbara, and brothers Harold and Richard.

While in the Army stationed in Germany, he took advantage of free time to travel across Europe and visit the 1958 World’s Fair in Brussels. It was also during this time he bought his first camera he used to document his European travels. After the Army, his favorite photo subjects were his family.

Clark loved sports. He played football and baseball through high school and in the Army. He coached little league and Connie Mack. Golf was his true passion. After retirement, he worked part time at Golfmohr Golf Course in Hampton. He also played at Golfmohr frequently and had made a hole-in-one on two separate occasions over the years he spent on the course.

He was a loving, supportive father and devoted grandfather. His grandchildren brought him so much joy and he was proud of their accomplishments.

He was a faithful man, a member of Christ United Methodist Church East Moline serving in various leadership positions over the years.

Memories may be shared at esterdahl.com.