Gordon Ripple (Veteran)

Gordon Scott Ripple, 65, of California, passed away Thursday, March 11, 2010, at Boone Hospital in Columbia. He was born on December 27, 1944, in Santa Monica, California, the son of Gordon Cecil Ripple, who preceded him in death, and Marjorie Irene Gray Ripple, who survives of California. He was married in Braymer, at the Proctorville Methodist Church on June 5, 1976, to Martha Sprouse, who survives of the home. He graduated in 1962 from William Howard Taft High School in Woodland Hills, California. He served as a helicopter mechanic in the United States Army from October 22, 1962 n October 21, 1965, when he was honorably discharged. From 1966-1968 he worked as a gardener/caretaker for the Department of Parks and Recreation of the City of Los Angeles, California, and from 1968-1974 he worked as a tree trimmer for the City of Los Angeles, California. In 1974 he moved to Missouri and worked as an auto mechanic for Schanzmeyer Ford in Jefferson City. In 1976 the dealership was sold to Capitol City Ford, and he continued to work there until 1981. In 1979 he received an Associate’s Degree in Auto Mechanics from Linn State Technical College. He worked as an auto mechanic at Clark’s Auto Sales and Parts from 1981-1991 in California. From 1991-1996 he worked as an auto mechanic for California Ford. In June 1996 he became the Garage Supervisor at the Tipton Correctional Center where he worked until his retirement in November 2009. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in California, where he has served as a Sunday School teacher, a member of the Board of Trustees, as an usher, the Sunday School Superintendent, videographer, and food pantry worker. He enjoyed annual hunting and fishing trips with friends, and he enjoyed looking for and collecting arrowheads. He is survived by his mother: Marjorie Ripple; his wife: Martha Ripple; one daughter: Lisa Motley and son-in-law Damon Motley; one granddaughter: Amelia Motley; one brother: Ken Ripple (Vicky); one sister: Carol Mueller (Bud); mother-in-law and father-in-law: Thelma and Don Sprouse; and three sisters-in-laws: Donna Rickman (Jon), Audrey Sprouse, and Cheryl Watson (Art). Funeral services will be held at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, March 13, at Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services in California. Graveside services will be held at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, March 14, at Phares Cemetery near Braymer. Officiating will be Rev. Linda Pagel. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. n 7:00 p.m. Saturday, March 13, at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the California United Methodist Church, 201 S. Oak, California, MO 65018. Arrangements are under the direction of Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services in California.