Randy Tripp, 65, of Brookings, passed away on February 14, 2020, at his home, surrounded by his ADVANCE family.  Funeral Services will be 10:00 A.M. Monday, February 24, 2020, at Eidsness Funeral Home with visitation starting at 9:00 A.M.  Burial will be in the Lennox Cemetery at Lennox, South Dakota.

Randy Tripp was born in Mitchell, South Dakota on June 30, 1954. Randy was placed with his foster parents, Ralph and Hazel Tripp when he was less than a month old. Randy was baptized and later confirmed at Wesley United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls. He attended public school in Sioux Falls and graduated from Washington High School. Following high school, Randy attended Sioux Vocational Services in Sioux Falls for 12 years. He moved to Brookings in 1985 to receive services from ADVANCE.

Randy was a life-long sports enthusiast, as well as an athlete. One of his greatest achievements as an athlete was being chosen to be a part of the South Dakota softball team that participated in the International Special Olympics summer games held in Indiana in 1987.  Randy had many hits during the games, including a triple. Other highlights included seeing Julius Irving and Patrick Ewing, as well as watching Whitney Houston perform at the opening ceremonies. Other sports he enjoyed participating in were football, baseball, bowling, basketball, roller skating, and horseback riding. As a spectator, he liked watching his Minnesota Twins and Vikings, and the SDSU Jackrabbits.

Randy took great pride in his work, and he held several jobs over the years, including work at SDSU, KMart, Larson Manufacturing, newspaper delivery, lawn mowing, and a variety of small assembly jobs at ADVANCE. Randy retired in June 2019, earning a well-deserved rest.

Randy cared greatly for those in his life; he remembered small details about everyone, he never forgot a face, and he loved telling stories and joking around with his friends. Randy enjoyed whiling away the hours relaxing and fishing, visiting his old community in Sioux Falls, going out for sodas, and working on his collections of watches, cross necklaces, and pens.

Randy is survived by his ADVANCE family and friends who will miss him greatly.  He was preceded in death by his foster parents.