Tribble, Jr., Randolph Louis
Randolph Louis Tribble, Jr., known to many as “Lou,” of Blacksburg, Virginia, passed away on Veteran’s Day, Thursday, November 11, 2021, at 74 years of age. A proud veteran himself, he was born into an Air Force family on October 26, 1947, in Berlin, Germany. After returning stateside, he grew up on the family farm on the North Fork of the Roanoke River, where he continued to live on Tribble Road until his death.
Lou is predeceased by his parents, Lt. Col. Randolph Louis Tribble, Sr. and Anna Laura Henderson Tribble, and his sisters, Phyllis Kyle Tribble Harmon and Beryl Catherine Tribble Ware. Left to cherish his memory are his beloved nieces, Paige Lauren Harmon Ward (Kristopher), of Lexington, and JoAnna Kyle Harmon Sparks (Josh), of Roanoke, and great nephews Landon Kyle Sparks and Caeden Eliah Sparks. Lou also leaves behind his former wife, Valerie Sellers, and her family, Vicki and Meagan Canipe, with whom he continued to spend his holidays.
Special gratitude to longtime friend Rick Weaver for his care and assistance with transportation to medical appointments during Lou’s final year. Additional thanks to Dr. Dominique Dempah and his staff at Lewis-Gale Medical Center, Salem, for their care.
Lou graduated from Blacksburg High School. After serving in the Air Force at McClellan AFB, California, Lou returned to the New River Valley where he completed a degree at Virginia Tech in Industrial Arts. After starting his career in the Roanoke City Public Schools and then PATS in Giles County, he spent most of his teaching years at Pulaski County High School.
Lou was a kind and giving soul who cared about everything and everyone around him and was particularly concerned about the less fortunate members of society. He was an avid believer in the conservation of the earth and his own farm land. He believed in the protection of endangered species, especially polar bears and other creatures impacted by climate change. He was passionate about art, good literature, politics, fine cuisine, and classic vinyl music. Bob Dylan has lost one of his greatest fans.
Lou was also a dedicated member of the Blacksburg and Virginia Tech communities. He was a Golden Hokie until he was offended by the ticket redistribution, and he was a member of the Blacksburg Lions Club where he led the Art in Schools project.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 20, 2021, from 1:00 – 2:00 PM at the Roanoke Valley Presbyterian Church building, 1532 Catawba Road, Blacksburg, across from the Tribble family farm. If planning to attend, please wear a face mask, as requested by the congregation. Visitation will be followed by a service celebrating Lou’s life at 2:00 PM with Rev. Terry Blevins and Dr. Charles Taylor officiating. At the conclusion of the service, a procession will take Lou to his final resting place in Sunset Cemetery, Christiansburg, Virginia, with military honors.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.mccoyfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Virginia Tech Lifelong Learning Institute (Virginia Tech Foundation, 902 Prices Fork Rd, Blacksburg, VA 24061) or the Blacksburg Lions Club (220 Professional Park Drive SE, Blacksburg, VA 24060).
How many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
Yes, ‘n’ how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, ‘n’ how many deaths will it take til he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind,
The answer is blowin’ in the wind.
Blowin’ In the Wind – Bob Dylan