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On May 5, 2024, just six days shy of his 82nd birthday, David Warren Ripley stepped peacefully from this world and into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was surrounded by those he loved most at his time of passing.
David was the first born of a set of triplet boys, a very uncommon event at the time and so the boys were instant celebrities in the town of Maywood, Illinois. His parents, James and Evelyn Ripley (nee Hubbell) had been married for 14 years and had been told that they would never have children before being blessed with the triplets. When his mother, a seamstress for the government during World War I, was asked by the local newspaper how she managed to have triplets after so long, she responded that she had used “3 in 1 oil,” a product that came with every Singer sewing machine ever made. She had quite the sense of humor.
David grew up in a Christian household and one of his fondest memories was seeing his father sitting on the edge of the bed every night reading his Bible. This left an indelible mark on David and so began his walk with the Lord. David was very active in the church serving as a youth leader, deacon, youth camp counselor and minister of education in California. After he moved to Cody in 2000, he once again worked with the youth group and was a Vacation Bible School leader. After the Bible Study Fellowship Organization opened a men’s study group in Cody, David joined the study group and after a few years he became a group leader. He continued to lead the men’s group for several years before having to step down due to health issues. It was his greatest desire to return to his role as a group leader after his health returned. Unfortunately, that was not meant to be. He made several friends during those years and always enjoyed meeting with them every week to study and fellowship together. He was a man who never met a stranger and was quick to share his faith with anyone he met.
David also loved his country and served in the Navy for a brief time and in the Air Force where he served as a member of the Air Fire and Rescue team at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama during the Vietnam War era.
He is survived by the love of his life of 23 years, his wife Dianne, stepdaughters Michele Hampton (Mark) and Jenifer O’Brien, granddaughters Sarah Estavane (Jack) and Jaedyn Hampton, grandson Robert Huezo, daughter Theresa Williams (James) and son Philip Ripley. He was preceded in death by both parents, older half-brother Jim Ripley, twin brothers Douglas and Duane Ripley, and son David William Ripley.
Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life is planned for June 27, 2024 at 2 p.m. at Highland Park Community Church, 2926 Bighorn Ave., Cody. Pastor Adriaan Overbeeke will be officiating. As red was David’s favorite color, please feel free to honor him by wearing red if you are planning to attend the service.
