James Leroy Rippley, 79, passed away peacefully at his residence on Tuesday, May 2, 2023. James, known to most as 'Rip', was born on July 30, 1943, to Julius and Winifred Rippley, the youngest of 3 boys. Rip picked up tinkering from his father at a young age and kept tinkering throughout his whole life; from fixing toys and vehicles or home repairs…you name it, he could fix it. He grew up in Houston, graduating from Sam Houston High School in 1961. After high school, Rip was employed at Sears-Roebuck, where he met the love of his life, turned wife of 60+ years, Patti. He and Patti went on to have 5 children of their own, and then made the selfless choice to raise their first grandchild. Rip and Patti built a wonderful life together, filled with square dancing, volunteering for the Special Olympics and camping with their family and friends. Throughout his life, Rip held several positions of employment from postal worker to long-haul truck driving and ultimately landed at Rush Truck Leasing, where he retired at the age of 77, in October 2020.

Rip is preceded in death by his parents, Julius and Winifred Rippley, his brother J. Wayne Rippley, his son, James E. Rippley and his daughter, Sharon K. Rippley.

Rip is survived by his wife, Patti, brother Herb Rippley, his daughter Debbie and her husband Manny Gutierrez, his son Don Rippley, his daughter Donna Rippley, his daughter Amanda, and her husband Brad King, along with numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Rip was a friend to many, and you could always depend on him for a funny story or an off-colored joke if you needed a smile, and we will all miss the smiles he gifted us.