Jacob Sawyer Tribble

Jacob Sawyer Tribble, 38, of Montgomery, went into eternal life on May 4, 2026. Jacob was born on May 2, 1988, in Stuart, Florida, the son of Tom and Jean Tribble.

Jacob had an extra chromosome, but he would have you know that he was “a natural guy.” Jacob moved to Montgomery in 1990, and over the next three and a half decades, he became who many people called “the most famous person in Montgomery.” Jacob was a model of resilience and an inspiration to so many. Shortly after he was born, Jacob underwent open-heart surgery. He powered through and exceeded so many expectations. Jacob knew how to read for most of his life, graduated from Jefferson Davis High School, thrived in a job for over 20 years, and accomplished so much more.

Jacob was an anchor point in the lives of so many in Montgomery and became the face of several groups and places. He was a founding member of the Miracle League in Montgomery and hit the first home run in league history. He worked at Chappy’s Deli for over 20 years, and scores of people intentionally went to Chappy’s during his shift. He was a staple fan at fields and courts throughout Montgomery. Jacob was LAMP High School’s biggest cheerleader in basketball and baseball during the years his brother played there. In the years that followed, he became an avid fan of any local team that a friend or member of “The Posse” would take him to support. Jacob was a fan of the Atlanta Braves, Auburn Tigers, Georgia Bulldogs, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Troy Trojans, Huntingdon Hawks, and whoever was winning the game that was on TV!

Jacob’s family is forever indebted to countless people for loving and supporting him, but a few especially stand out: Chappy’s Deli and the Barranco family, who turned a part-time job into a career that Jacob loved; Jacob’s “Posse,” notably Doug Singleton, Mark Hall, the late Ronnie Hayes, and whoever Jacob voted in on a nightly basis—a group of men in Montgomery who were in constant conversation and fellowship with Jacob, treating him as one of the guys they laughed with and enjoyed life alongside; and the Montgomery Therapeutic Recreation Center, which served as Jacob’s daytime home for much of his adult life.

Faith, church, and Christian community were of essential importance to Jacob. A lifelong United Methodist, Jacob was baptized into the faith in 1988 at First United Methodist Church of Stuart, Florida. He was confirmed in the faith and lived most of his life as a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Montgomery. At Aldersgate, Jacob was involved in every aspect of church life. Throughout his teenage years, he was at youth group activities any time the doors were open. He sang in the youth and adult choirs, went on mission trips and choir tours, and was often known to sit up front and join in the recessional. In Jacob’s final years, he was a member of First United Methodist Church of Montgomery, where he quickly became beloved by many, participated in the Respite Ministry, and was part of the Connexion Sunday School Class.

Jacob is survived by his parents, Thomas Gregory and Jean Sawyer Tribble of Montgomery; his brothers, Zachary Sawyer Tribble (Christie) of Atlanta and Lucas Sawyer Tribble (Sarah Beth) of Montgomery; his niece, Madeline Kelley Tribble; and his nephews, Halling Sawyer, Bradford Thomas, and Sawyer Kenneth Tribble.

Arrangements are planned for May 11 at First United Methodist Church in Montgomery. Visitation will be at 12:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall, with a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to The Rise Up Foundation (riseupmgm.org) or the Montgomery Miracle League, powered by the YMCA (http://www.myym.ca/give-miracleleague).

As we extend our deepest condolences to you and your family during this difficult time, we would also like to express our utmost gratitude to you for entrusting us with your loved one. Magnolia Cremations & Funeral Services.

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