Sandy Tripp

Sandy Tripp, 76 of Dumas, passed away on Thursday, July 29, 2021. Funeral services are scheduled at 3 o'clock in the afternoon on Monday, August 2, 2021 at First Baptist Church. Interment will be held at Northlawn Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 3 o'clock until 5 o'clock in the afternoon at the funeral home. Arrangements are entrusted to Beeson ~ Morrison Funeral Directors.Sandy was born May 16, 1945, in San Diego, CA, to Charles Fred Stewart and Doris Gestrich Stewart. She died July 29, 2021, in Amarillo, TX. Sandy was a “Navy brat,” as her dad was a U.S. Navy officer. She grew up loving the beach and Southern California life in her beloved Point Loma neighborhood of San Diego. She graduated from Clairmont High School in San Diego in 1963. After graduation, her family re-located to Altus, OK, where her stepfather was sent to work on the missile silos being constructed at the Altus Air Force Base. It was there, while attending Altus Junior College, that she met Newt. His story is she asked him to take her to a hayride, and “it just went from there.” When they decided they wanted to marry, they only told close friends, who helped them “run off.” They married on April 24, 1964, in Tipton, OK, joined by their two best friends and the minister. According to Newt, “no one gave it six months,” but they celebrated 57 years of marriage this past April. On February 23, 1965, they welcomed their first daughter, Cynthia (Cindy) Ann, and five years later, on Sandy’s birthday, welcomed Kathleen Lynne. Newt and Sandy moved to Amarillo shortly after they married, and moved to Dumas in December 1968, where they embraced life with their family, work, church, and friends that have all meant so much. Sandy went back to college at West Texas State and earned her education degree while Cindy and Kathleen were young. She taught first grade at Cactus and Green Acres Elementary Schools for many years. While still teaching, she earned her Master’s Degree in Education and Counseling and later became a Licensed Professional Counselor. After retirement from Dumas ISD, she opened her private counseling business, Dumas Counseling Center. Her work was truly her passion because she was able to help so many. She never wanted to retire—she loved her clients and her work too much.Sandy was a long-time member of First Baptist Church Dumas, where she taught children and youth Sunday school, sang in the adult choir, and served as adult sponsor on many youth choir mission trips. She carried many precious memories (and fun stories!) from every mission trip and treasured every one. Her love for her church and love for serving others was a driving force in her life. Her love for others drove her. She was never at peace unless she was serving others in some way. Her impact on the lives of others will likely never be fully known.Sandy is survived by her husband of 57 years, Newt, daughters Cindy Griffith of Nacogdoches, TX, and Kathleen Armstrong of Amarillo, TX, grandchildren Megan Barr Hazelrigg (Andy), Katie Barr Colbert (Mike), and Zack Barr, and great-grandchildren Braxton Galvan, Paisley Colbert, Keeley Colbert, Reagan Colbert, and Cooper Hazelrigg, all of Amarillo, brother Marc Stewart (Karen) of La Mesa, CA, sister Penny Brotherton of Alexandria, MN, brother- and sister-in-law, Robert and Janey Tripp of Blair, OK, sister- and brother-in-law, Annette and Dale Rowe, of Frederick, OK, and many dearly loved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, mother, brother Scott Stewart, father- and mother-in-law, Bill and Naomi Tripp, and sons-in-law, Clark Armstrong, and Robin Griffith.Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, First Baptist Church Dumas, National Kidney Foundation, American Diabetes Association, or the charity of your choice.