Joseph James Tribble (August 30, 1920 – July 15, 2003) was an American politician who served in the Georgia State Senate. Tribble is notable for being one of the first

Republicans Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...

elected from Chatham County in the 20th century.

Early life

Tribble was born on August 30, 1920, in Forsyth, Georgia. Tribble completed his education at the

Georgia Institute of Technology The Georgia Institute of Technology, commonly referred to as Georgia Tech or, in the state of Georgia, as Tech or The Institute, is a public research university and institute of technology in Atlanta, Georgia. Established in 1885, it is part of ...

, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1942. During World War II, from August 1943 to June 1946, he served as an engineer in the engine rooms aboard Liberty ships of the United States Maritime Service.

Political career

After the war, Tribble settled in Savannah in 1946 and began his career at Union Camp Corporation. Over the years, he held various management positions and retired from Union Camp in 1981 as the Energy Coordinator for the Unbleached Division. Throughout his life in Savannah, Tribble actively engaged in politics. He was originally a Democrat, but switched parties when John F. Kennedy was nominated. He achieved the distinction of being the first Republican State Senator elected from Chatham County in the 20th century. His political involvement led to numerous chairmanships and delegate responsibilities. In 1963, he was Chairman of the Georgia National Draft Goldwater Committee. On May 2, 1964, Tribble was elected chairman of the

Georgia Republican Party The Georgia Republican Party is the affiliate of the Republican Party in the U.S. state of Georgia and one of the two major political parties in the state and is currently chaired by David Shafer. Current structure David Shafer is the current ...

and served until he resigned on May 29, 1965. He served as a delegate to the

1964 Events January * January 1 – The Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland is dissolved. * January 5 - In the first meeting between leaders of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches since the fifteenth century, Pope Paul VI and Patriarch ...

1968 The year was highlighted by protests and other unrests that occurred worldwide. Events January–February * January 5 – "Prague Spring": Alexander Dubček is chosen as leader of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. * Januar ...

1976 Events January * January 3 – The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights enters into force. * January 5 – The Pol Pot regime proclaims a new constitution for Democratic Kampuchea. * January 11 – The 1976 Phila ...

, and

1980 Events January * January 4 – U.S. President Jimmy Carter proclaims a grain embargo against the USSR with the support of the European Commission. * January 6 – Global Positioning System time epoch begins at 00:00 UTC. * January 9 – ...

Republican National Conventions. In

, he ran for Congress in Georgia's 1st congressional district, where G. Elliott Hagan defeated him 68.2%–31.8% (77,403) to (36,118). In May 1981, Tribble reached a pinnacle in his career when President

Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan ( ; February 6, 1911June 5, 2004) was an American politician, actor, and union leader who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He also served as the 33rd governor of California from 1967 ...

appointed him as an Assistant Secretary of Energy.

Personal life

On November 25, 1948, he married Laura Boddiford, and together they raised four children. He died on July 15, 2003, aged 82.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tribble, Joseph 1920 births 2003 deaths Republican Party Georgia (U.S. state) state senators Georgia (U.S. state) Republicans State political party chairs of Georgia (U.S. state) Georgia Tech alumni