It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our colleague, Leroy “Sonny” Tripp. A fierce advocate for Native American youth and education, Sonny dedicated his life to empowering his community and striving for excellence. A proud Karuk Tribal member, his passion for his community drove him to try and build a better world for everyone.
A dedicated basketball coach, Sonny always encouraged his teams to be the best they could be. Known for his positive, motivating, and fast-paced approach, Sonny emphasized teamwork, discipline, and resilience, instilling confidence in every player and inspiring those around him to push beyond their limits.
This passion and persistence translated well to his professional career. During his tenure as the Indigenous Education Advocate at NCIDC, Sonny created a program from the ground up, bringing together an impressive group of professionals from the local education community as well as statewide. Just as he did on the court, Sonny built a team to take on the most challenging issues that affected education in the Native community and he never wavered or avoided difficult conversations. His vision and leadership fostered collaboration and opened doors for countless Native youth, leaving an indelible mark on education and advocacy.
In recognition of his unwavering commitment to education services, Sonny received the prestigious Apple Pin Award from Humboldt County Education, a testament to his dedication and impact on the lives of students and educators alike. His passion and commitment will leave a lasting legacy.
It was during this time that he was also recognized for his impressive work in the community by the North Coast Journal in a moving cover story of their October 2024 issue. This recognition highlighted his extensive work in youth mentorship, education (especially with Indigenous students), and community advocacy, and highlighted his tireless dedication to the area's social justice movements and youth development.
Unfortunately, this amazing coverage of Sonny’s tireless work in the community coincided with his unfortunate cancer diagnosis. But just like in everything else Sonny did he took on the fight against cancer with the same positivity and tenacity that drove all the many fights Sonny took on during his lifetime.
Everyone that had the privilege of crossing paths with Sonny was inspired by his passion and strengthened by his resolve. Our community is a better place because of Sonny Tripp. He empowered people to see past their differences and find common ground. He left a resonating positivity that will endure within all of us who were fortunate enough to call him a colleague, a mentor, or a friend. To be any of these with Sonny was to be family to him. He truly lived with his heart on his sleeve and cared deeply and genuinely about all those he called his family.
Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to Sonny’s family, friends, and all who were touched by his remarkable life. May his memory continue to inspire and guide us.
