Michael Edward Tripp

Michael Edward Tripp of Crystal Springs, left this world and stepped into Heaven on September 16, 2021, preparing to do what God designed him to do: making beautiful music and entertaining. We know, without a doubt, that he ended up performing for a Heavenly audience instead of the one he anticipated that day. What a party it must’ve been!

Mike is survived by his wife, Debbie; daughter & son-in-law, Katy and Corey Montgomery; brother Ricky (Barbara) Tripp; brothers-in-law Terry Arndt, Ronnie (Monica) Arndt, and David (Susie) Arndt; sisters-in-law Joy (Stan) Rowe, Jackie (Mike) Waganer, and Sandee (Byron) Yancey; uncle Lonnie Dueker; aunt Mary Ann Banzer; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; and an infinite number of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dorris “Ed” & Elizabeth “Boots” Tripp; his step-father, Jim Dukes; and his in-laws, Al and Marion Arndt.

Mike was born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri on September 21, 1956, to Ed & Boots Tripp. He discovered his ability to sing and play various instruments at a young age and eventually made a career out of it. He was a huge part of the Hot Springs music scene and adored by fellow artists and patrons alike. Mike was also a mechanic, t-shirt designer/printer, DJ, screenplay writer, and restaurant owner. He had the time of his life opening and operating his own restaurant in Crystal Springs, called The Diner. He also spent countless hours researching and advocating for sick friends and relatives. He’d always say, “I’m not a doctor, but I play one on the internet and don’t get paid for it.” Mike always had a funny story to tell. Sometimes he told the exact same story at every family gathering. Or he had interesting information to share (sometimes, overshare). But that’s what made him Mike and we will miss his stories more than words can say.

He also had a huge Servant’s heart. As Mr. Rogers said, “look for the helpers; you will always find people who are helping.” Mike would stop what he was doing to help someone in need at any time and never asked for anything in return. Mike spent time remodeling his childhood home and his family lake house, making repairs to friends and other family members’ homes whenever needed, and helping to build farm outbuildings with his son-in-law. He would cancel his own plans in order to take his loved ones to doctor’s appointments, pick up their groceries, and he and Debbie would even prepare and deliver food and treats to sick or homebound friends and relatives. His favorite thing to cook for people was his from-scratch, “Trippy’s Pizza.” There is simply no better pizza in the world, and that’s a fact.

Mike and the love of his life, Debbie Arndt Tripp, were married on a summer morning in 1986 at a surprise, sunrise ceremony on top of West Mountain in Hot Springs. They spent the majority of their life together serving, advocating for, and loving each other as well as their family and friends. They set the bar pretty high for what marriage and parenthood should look like for their daughter, Katy. He was a loving and supportive Daddy, a wonderful father-in-law, and he loved being “Boompa” to all of Katy and Corey’s fur and feather “children.”

We will miss him more than words can say but are so grateful for the time God allowed us have him here with us.

Visitation will be on Monday, September 20, 2021 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM in the Davis-Smith Funeral Home Chapel, Hot Springs. Services will be at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, September 21, 2021 in the Davis-Smith Funeral Home Chapel, Hot Springs, followed by a short grave-side service at Crystal Springs Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Corey Montgomery, Jay Awbrey, Grant Coster, John Arndt, Christopher Tripp, Arthur Jefferson and Philip deMontmollin.

Honorary pallbearers are Greg Cardenas Sr. and the entire Hot Springs music community.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to either St. Jude’s Children Hospital or The Salvation Army.

Guest registry is at www.davis-smith.com.