Leland Derrell Tripp, PhD, 97, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and lifelong champion of the peanut industry, passed away peacefully at his home on May 30, 2026. Born on July 30, 1928, in Grady, Oklahoma to Roy and Lora (Rich) Tripp, Leland lived a life of remarkable purpose, dedication, and love, leaving an indelible mark on his family, his profession, and his community. There will be a visitation Wednesday, June 3, 2026 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. Funeral service will begin 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 4, 2026 at Strode Funeral Home Chapel, Stillwater, Oklahoma. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Stillwater. Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements.

Military Service: Before beginning his distinguished academic and professional career, Leland answered the call of duty and served his country with honor in Japan and Korea from 1951 to 1953 as an army communications chief with the 120th engineer battalion, 45th Division. Before he became the foremost authority on peanuts in America, advising farmers across many nations, Leland was known for an entirely different kind of toughness. He won the Southern Oklahoma Golden Gloves title in 1949, was the army lightweight champion of Camp Gordon, Georgia, and compiled a remarkable record of 37 wins in 40 fights, acquiring the moniker of "Lethal Leland". He was runner up in the Third Army finals to an opponent who won the all-army championship.

Education: Leland's passion for learning shaped every chapter of his life. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy from Oklahoma A&M University in 1954, received a Master of Science in Rural Adult Education from Oklahoma State University in 1960, and completed his academic journey in 1968 from Oklahoma State University with a Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Breeding and Genetics with a focus on peanuts. A man of sound opinions both in the field and in the halls of academia, Leland was known to claim, with characteristic confidence, that he was personally involved in the decision to rename Oklahoma A&M College to Oklahoma State University in 1957. Whether the university's administration would fully corroborate that account is a matter of some debate, but Leland knew the untold story and the rest is history.

Career: Leland dedicated his professional life to the agronomic science of peanuts, becoming one of the foremost experts in the country. He served as an Assistant County Extension Agent in Caddo County (1954-57), a Radio and TV Specialist at Oklahoma State University (1957-59), Graduate Assistant (1959) and Peanut Crops Specialist with the Oklahoma Extension Service (1960-75). In 1974, on behalf of the U.S. Foreign Aid program, he spent a month in Peru assisting peanut growers as well as collecting seeds from across the country to enhance plant breeding. He served as an Agronomist with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service (1975-86) and was recognized by the United States Department of Agriculture in 1982 for 30 years of federal service. He later worked as a Peanut Consultant, advising growers across all the peanut-producing regions of the United States as well as Canada. A prolific scholar and communicator, Dr. Tripp authored or co-authored more than 225 publications over his career, including Extension fact sheets, research handbooks, nearly 200 magazine and newspaper articles reaching farmers across peanut production areas, as well as a doctoral thesis on peanut genetics.

His contributions were widely recognized with numerous honors, including being named Executive Secretary of the American Peanut Research and Education Association (1969­73), receiving a special citation from the Oklahoma Agricultural Chemicals Association for outstanding educational programs (1975), recognition by the Oklahoma Peanut Commission for dedicated service to the peanut industry (1975), serving as President of the American Peanut Research and Education Association (1976), being named a Fellow of the American Peanut Research and Education Society (1983), receiving the Golden Peanut Research and Education Award from the National Peanut Council (1984), and being honored with the Coyt T. Wilson Distinguished Service Award by the American Peanut Research and Education Society in 1991.

Personal Life: A native of Jefferson County, Oklahoma, Leland was a man of the land in every sense. He was an avid gardener, fisherman, and hunter who found deep joy in the natural world he spent his lifetime studying. He cherished time with family above all else, and his enthusiasm for life was infectious to all who knew him.

Leland is survived by his beloved wife of 73 years, Bernadine (Gehringer) Tripp of Allentown, Pennsylvania, and their children: Tim (spouse Paula), Cindy (spouse Gary Stiegler), Anthony (spouse Elsa Haubold), and Thomas (spouse Carrie Weitinger). He was preceded in death by his son Terry (spouse Christine), and by his only sibling, his brother Wilbur Tripp - known to all as "Doc."

He is also survived by five grandchildren: Patrick (spouse Sarah) Tripp, Kathleen Tripp (spouse Nathan) Reeves, Jennifer Tripp (spouse Max) Davis, Bernadine "Lizzie" Tripp (spouse James) Driscoll, and Thomas Tripp, and ten great-grandchildren: Alice Tripp, Daniel Tripp, Erin Tripp, Tessa Tripp, Ruby Reeves, Hazel Reeves, Jetson Reeves, Brienne Davis, Claire Davis, and Caden Driscoll, who were the delight of his later years. He reveled in every moment spent with them, passing along his love of the land, his curiosity, passion for fishing and his gentle wisdom.

Leland Derrell Tripp lived 97 full years - in service to his country, in dedication to science, in love for his family, and in appreciation for the good earth beneath his feet. He will be profoundly missed and forever remembered.

In lieu of flowers, the family of Dr. Tripp invites you to honor his memory by helping get youth outdoors and fishing through a donation to one of the following organizations:

Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation - Neighborhood Fishin' Program Visit , select "Tribute Giving," and enter Dr. Leland Tripp and the Neighborhood Fishin' Program in the name fields.
Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Foundation - Educational Programs Outdoor Education If donating online visit okwcf.org, go to "Donate" and use the drop-down menu to choose "Outdoor Education." Use the "In Memory" area to designate Dr. Leland Tripp. If donating by check send to Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Foundation, PO Box 53488, Oklahoma City, OK 73152.

You are also welcome to donate to the charity of your choice.