John Ripley Obituary

RIPLEY, John John LaBree Ripley (Jack) 83, husband of Ruth Chandler Ripley, died Tuesday, April 18, 2006 at his home. Jack was born April 19, 1922 in Charleston, SC, the son of Leonard C. Ripley and Tacie West Ripley. He attended Mitchell Elementary School and High School of Charleston. He graduated from The Citadel with a degree in Civil Engineering in the class of 1949. The relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. John LaBree Ripley are invited to attend the funeral services of the former Saturday, April 22, 2006 at eleven o'clock in Bethel United Methodist Church. Interment, Riverview Memorial Park. Friends may call at J. HENRY STUHR, INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL Friday between five-thirty and seven-thirty o'clock. Mr. Ripley was a World War II veteran, serving in the Army Corps of Engineers in both European and the South Pacific Theatres. He served on the District Engineers Staff, and was in the ROICC office during the building of the Naval Dry Dock, the Officers Quarters and the Naval Hospital. Later, he was the Engineer in charge of Naval Construction in the Southeast at Southern Division of Naval Facilities Engineering Command. After retirement, he was the owner of Ripley Construction Company and co-owner of Ripley-Long Realty. Jack was Past Master of Franklin Lodge, AFM; Past President of Charleston Civil Engineers Club; Past President of West Charleston Sertoma Club; a life member of The Citadel Club of Charleston, and a member of the Arion Society. Jack was a life long member of Bethel United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday School, was the Cubmaster of Pack 3 with the Boy Scouts of America; and coached basketball and softball teams. He served on many committees including Property Chairman and Chairman of Trustees, and sang in the Chancel Choir for many years and later in the Cokesbury Chorale. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Ruth Elizabeth Chandler Ripley; one daughter: Elizabeth R. (Beth) Bryant; one son: John L. Ripley, Jr. and his wife Tina; four grandchildren: Chandler Bryant Dabit and her husband Joe, Thomas M. Bryant, IV, and his wife Joanna, John L. (Rip) Ripley, III and Shaffer L. Ripley; two great granddaughters: Ava Bryant and Elizabeth Dabit; one brother: Leonard C. Ripley, Jr. and his wife Mildred of North Charleston, SC and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by a son-in-law Tom Bryant. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bethel United Methodist Church, 57 Pitt Street, Charleston, SC 29401. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.