Herbert Ray Ripley

With great sorrow and bittersweet gratitude, the Ripley and Ford families announce the passing of Herbert "Herb" Ray Ripley. Herb died peacefully at his home in Orangevale, CA after a year and a half battle with cancer.

Herb was born on January 5, 1944 to Cecil and Dorothy Ripley in Omak, Washington. Herb studied engineering at the University of Washington where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and on the Crew team. While attending college, Herb worked for Chevron where he developed a lifelong interest with all things automotive. After college Herb moved to California where he owned service stations and a car was in Central and Southern California as well as a sign business in Irvine. Forever a car enthusiast, Herb raced stock cars and go-karts and developed the Ripley Brake for go-karts, which are still in use today.

Herb became interested in computers in the 80's and taught himself coding and wrote several programs, making him a lifelong learner. Later in his life Herb was a Realtor, however he was always an engineer at heart.

In 1997, Herb met Barbara at a concert in the park on a warm August evening in Del Mar, CA. After spending many years in San Diego, Herb moved up to Northern California to be closer to Barbara and they were married September 4, 1999, and had a beautiful 24-year marriage. Together they traveled often; played many rounds of golf; surrounded themselves with loving friends and family members, and spent countless hours laughing and enjoying one another's company.

Herb was a devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather (aka Grumpa), great-grandfather, and uncle. He was predeceased by his mother, father and sister, Patty Loomis and is survived by his sister, Peggy; 3 children, 2 stepchildren, 12 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and his beloved wife, Barbara Ford Ripley.

Services will be held at Mount Vernon Memorial Park in Fair Oaks on March 15, 2023 at 1:00 pm.