John McMinn Rippley

John Rippley was born and spent his childhood in Alton, Illinois where he graduated in 1961 from Alton Senior High School.  He attended Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, receiving a B.A. Degree in Political Science in 1965.  His interest in politics lasted his lifetime.  He went on to receive a Juris Doctor, College of Law, University of Illinois in 1968. John was chosen for the White House Honors program in 1968. 

Upon graduation from law school and passing the Illinois bar, he was drafted into the United States Army where he served in Vietnam (1970 – 1971), serving in the 52nd Signal Battalion.  He was awarded a Bronze Star medal for combat service.  He then went on to be an attorney for the U.S. Department of Transportation, setting his sights on working in Denver.  He retired as Regional Counsel for the Federal Highway Administration in Lakewood for many years.  He retired in 2005. 

Long before the internet changed all our lives, John had a quiet hobby entering contests.  There was a steady stream of gadgets and what-nots arriving at our mailbox for many years.  His biggest win was in 1988 when he won first prize in the New Zealand  Steinlager Beer contest.  First prize?   $25,000!  First, he bought lobster dinners for a group of people at Marlow’s in downtown Denver and then he bought himself a new Jeep Cherokee.  My, was he a happy guy. 

John was preceded in death by his mother Mabel and father Rip, his twin brother, Bill, and oldest brother, Don.  He is survived by wife Peggy, adult children Hannah and Michael and a granddaughter, Rian. 

Burial will be at Fort Logan National Cemetery at his insistence.  John said it was the only benefit he could get from the Army since they waited to draft him after he graduated from law school, and he was for sure going to take it. 

To quote Jalene Ashker, “a beautiful, kind, loving, generous soul no longer resides on this earth.”  John’s health took a deep dive four years ago, but he never gave up and never stopped moving; not even on his last day on earth.  I am adding brave to those assets.  He will be deeply missed.