Darvel Tripp

Darvel Tripp, Shorty, passed away from complications related to pneumonia and dementia on Tuesday January 27th, 2026, in his home in Missoula, Montana, surrounded by family. The middle of four brothers; Darvel was born in Deer River, Minnesota to Leota and Charlie Tripp. Shorty’s family moved to Missoula, Montana where he spent countless hours with his brothers running free in the mountains and along the banks of the Clark Fork. At 15, Shorty left school and had several small jobs before joining the United States military.

On December 28, 1955, Shorty enlisted in the US Navy. He was assigned to active duty aboard the USS Oriskany (The Mighty O) during the Vietnam war. Shorty traveled through the Philippine islands, Japan and Hawaii. He speaks fondly of the Hawaiian Islands and in his later years dreamed of returning. Shorty spent nine years and four months faithfully serving his country and was honorably discharged. Whenever Shorty was asked about his time in the Navy, he would reminisce on it as one of the best times of his life. There he met some of his closest friends and developed his lifelong passion for playing cards.

Shortly after his military discharge, Darvel bought his first semi-truck and began driving. Mary Sue Tripp, the love of his life, worked at one of the local truck stops Shorty frequented. On June 30,1977 the two were married and began their true companionship alongside his eldest son Jimmy. Their marriage brought two more sons to the Tripp legacy, Matt in 1978 and Milan in 1979. Shorty continued trucking and Mary began working at Mount Jumbo School. The two owned property on Roller Coaster Road. In 1981 they bought their first house in East Missoula where they still reside on the same street. When asked what he would always remember he said “My wife. Mary. Because we are close”. Even after his memory was affected by dementia, he never forgot his wife, Mary.

Shorty was a true outdoorsman. He spent much of his free time hunting, camping and fishing. We all recall the story of the 100lb. paddlefish he caught. But it wasn’t just a story. There are pictures to prove it and Mary corrected and reminded us it was 112 lbs. He enjoyed sharing these passions with his children as well as teaching them card games. A dollar bet was often wagered on cribbage and while Shorty enjoyed a good game of pinochle, he could never quit the table talk. Cards gave him and Mary and the boys a hobby to enjoy during Montana's cold winters. He was known as a natural teacher for all his hobbies by his children, and their friends.

Shorty is preceded in death by his parents and brother Willis. He is survived by his wife Mary, his three sons: Jimmy (Stephanie) of Kalispell, MT, Matt (Jacquelyn) of Dallas TX, and Milan (Lesley) of Missoula, MT, his two brothers Lyle and Dan, their wives and Peggy, Willis’ widower., His grandchildren, Reilly (Sarah), Carson, Blake, Cadence, Tyson, Baylee, Avari, Mason, Easton and Grayson, extended family members, loved ones, friends and acquaintances that all have Shorty stories of their own. Shorty will be missed dearly and is loved deeply. All who knew him knew his good heart, golden character and witty nature. And as he would say…

“Glad you got to see me” -Shorty

Funeral services will be held at Garden City Funeral Home at 1:00 pm on Thursday, February 5th, 2026. Internment and Military Honors will follow at 3 pm at the Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery. We will gather at Shorty’s coffee shop, The Reno Cafe, in East Missoula to share stories, reminisce.