Earl Harrison Triplett Sr.

Earl Harrison Triplett Sr., 86, retired Memphis banker, died on January 20 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Mr. Triplett, son of the late E.E. and Myrtie H. Triplett, was born in 1924 in Greenville Mississippi. He served as a platoon sergeant in the 94th Army Infantry Division in World War II under General Patton, and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was a recipient of the Silver Star and two purple hearts for heroic actions during World War II. Mr. Triplett was a graduate of Mississippi State University and the Louisiana State University School of Banking. While at Mississippi State, he was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, and served as President of the Inter-Fraternity Council and Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. In 1959, Mr. Triplett joined Memphis Bank & Trust Company and moved his family from the Mississippi Delta to Memphis. In 1966 he was named President of Memphis Bank & Trust Company, and later was elected Chairman of the Board. He also was Chairman and President of First American Bank-Memphis, the successor of Midland Bank and Trust. His interest in the federal legislative process led Mr. Triplett to become involved with banking industry efforts at the national level. He chaired the Federal Legislative Committee for the Tennessee Bankers Association, was Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Conference of State Bank Supervisors, was active in the American Bankers Association State Legislative Committee, and frequently traveled to Washington to meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Pursuing a passion, he could often be found duck hunting in Arkansas during the duck season. Upon retirement, Mr. Triplett spent as much time as he could at his beloved farm on Lake Washington in the Mississippi Delta. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Lura Johnson Triplett of Memphis; his children, Lura Nell Mitchell (Malcolm) of Alexandria, VA; Earl Triplett, Jr. (Ann) of Memphis; Melanie Jones ( Albert) of Richmond, VA; Rebecca Kranc (Dave) of St. Simons Island, GA; Edward Triplett (Julia) of Nashville TN; and ten grandchildren. Memorials may be sent to The Church Health Center of Memphis, or charity of donor’s choice. Visitation will be Sunday, January 23, at 3 p.m., at Memphis Funeral Home on Poplar, with the funeral immediately following at 4 p.m.. The family will have a graveside burial service at Greenfield Cemetery in Glen Allan, MS on Monday at 11 a.m. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www. memphisfuneralhome.net Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens 5599 Poplar Avenue 901-725-0100