William Olen Triplett

Olen Triplett, 86 of Fort Sumner, NM and formerly of Farmington, NM died Monday, June 24, 2002 at the Pecos Valley Care Center in Fort Sumner. Mr. Triplett was born June 8, 1916 in Chickasha, OK to the home of Silas Henry Triplett and the former Caroline Oberdahlhoff. He was reared and attended schools near Marshall, OK; and Springer, NM. He married Jennie Lee McKenzie on May 15, 1938 in Aztec, NM. Olen was a longtime rancher and farmer. During World War II, Olen served in the U.S. Army, Company B, 70th Armored Infantry Battalion. He received the Victory Medal and was honorably discharged on December 10, 1945. Olen worked as a truck mechanic, an oil field worker, welder, and rebuilt Ford tractors and equipment. Olen’s greatest joys were his grandchildren with their 4-H show cattle, training horses, hunting, feeding, and showing registered Herefords in three states. He was a longtime 4-H leader and supporter, served on the San Juan County Fair board, and was a longtime member of Farm Bureau. He operated Four Corners Farm Equipment. Olen was a member of Southern Baptist-Central since 1953 and was a charter member of Highland Baptist Church he helped construct the church by hauling pumas rock to build blocks for the building. He also taught boys Sunday School Class. Olen and Jennie made their home in Fort Sumner in 1997. He was preceded in death by a daughter Peggy in 1941; a son Troy Olen Triplett in 1998; his mother Caroline Triplett in 1962; his father Henry Triplett in 1944; two brothers Roy Triplett and Merl Triplett; four sisters Josephine Wing in 1967; Dorothy French in 1984; Dessie Brown in 1997 and Iona Miller in 2001, and a son-in-law Fred Bixler in 1991. Survivors include his wife Jennie Lee Triplett of Fort Sumner, NM; a son Duane Triplett and wife Beverly of Waterflow, NM; a daughter Jean Bixler of Fort Sumner, NM; a daughter-in-law Dale Triplett of Hesperus, CO; nine grandchildren Darrel Triplett of Waterflow, NM; Darby Livingston and husband Joe of Montrose, CO; Diane Dean and husband Andrew of Farmington, NM; Sheridan Bowen and husband Cliff of Amarillo, TX; Gail Triplett of Waterflow, NM; Lacey Triplett; Dawn Bodine and husband Scott and Tara Bodine and husband James all of Herperus, CO; and Krista Wilson of San Antonio, TX. Also surviving is a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Graveside funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M., Thursday, June 27, 2002 from Green Lawn Cemetery in Farmington, NM with Rev. Phil Offerle officiating. Pallbearers will include Darrell Triplett, Bill Roberts, Cliff Bowen, Joe Livingston, Andrew Dean, and Raymond Howard. Honorary bearers will be Rich Howe, Don Miller, Keith Miller, James Bodine, and Scott Bodine. The family prefers memorial Contributions to the Levi & Calico 4-H Club, Kirtland, NM or the Chaparral and Valley 4-H Clubs in Fort Sumner, NM. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 804 N. Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, New Mexico.