John Triplett, father of 6th Ward Alderman Kacie Starr Triplett, passed away early this morning of a heart attack.
Known to many as “Big John,” Triplett, 55, was an official with the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 562.
UPDATE @ 9:44 PM: Below is a statement from Comptroller Darlene Green on the passing of Mr. Triplett:
“My heartfelt condolences go out to the entire family. The St. Louis community lost a great man, father and labor representative in John. I know he was very proud of his daughter, Kacie, and her career in public service. His legacy will live on through her.”
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December 18th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
My condolences go out to Alderwoman Triplett and to the entire Triplett family.
December 18th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
My heartfelt condolences go out to Alderwoman Kacie Triplett.
“Big John” Triplett was a loyal supporter of the children of the City of St. Louis through the boxing program and was just a great person period. He made sure that the Plumbers and Pipefitter’s Union #562 presence and financial support was strong for the U.S.A. and City of St. Louis boxing program. He truly talked the talk and walked the walk!
We loved “Big John” Triplett and will miss him. May God be with you always “Kacie.”
Peace & Love,
Joseph Palm
Committeeman of the
“Mighty” 26th Ward
December 18th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
Alderwoman Triplett and your family, you have my prayers and my condolences.
December 18th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
My thoughts and prayers are with Kacie and her family. Antonio, thank you for bringing this to our attention and please keep us posted on where we can send our condolences to her family.
December 18th, 2007 at 3:28 pm
Condolences to the entire Triplett family during this difficult time. My prayers are with you.
December 18th, 2007 at 11:14 pm
May God’s grace and strength guide you through this sad time to a dear friend and her family. My prayers are with you Kacie and I know your dad will be dearly missed.
December 19th, 2007 at 6:50 am
Big John was a good man
December 19th, 2007 at 9:05 am
I was extremely sad to hear of the passing of a giant of a man, John Triplett. While serving as Alderwoman of the 4th Ward, John was very supportive while I was in office. When he realized I was still in the classroom he offered advice I could give to my students about getting into the plumbing trade. When I had to literally run for my life, fighting the recall, losing an election against supposed friends, John always gave me words of encouragement.
Earlier this year, we laughed at a dance where I had a problem keeping up with his dance skills because he was much taller than me. He will be greatly missed.
Peggy
Peggy Ryan
Compliance Teacher
Office of Special Education (2nd Floor)
801 N. 11th Street
St. Louis, MO 63101
(314) 633-5358
(314) 633-5454 (fax)
“Children who are treated as if they are uneducable almost invariably become uneducable”
December 20th, 2007 at 6:10 am
From Mayor Slay on December 18th:
As the son of a City elected official and the father of a political science major, I am very familiar with the special sort of encouragement that passes between generations of elected officials. Who else could better appreciate the challenges we face, who else’s advice would have our interests most clearly understood?
That’s why my heart goes out to 6th ward alderwoman Kacie Triplett, who lost her father, John Triplett this week — only months after her grandfather, John Bass, passed away.
Big John was a familiar sight to any visitor at the St. Louis Board of Aldermen: a quiet giant whose interests in his union’s members and Democratic politics were eclipsed only by a fierce pride in his talented daughter’s growing list of accomplishments.
John Triplett’s presence, like his father-in-law’s, will be missed at City Hall, but the two men left behind a young public official who will certainly carry on in their footsteps. I know they were both very, very proud of her.