He is preceded in death by his first wife Aileen Ripley, his daughter Judy Bidart, his sister Frances Gardner, and his second wife Doris Ripley.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Linda Ripley; his five grandchildren: Kelli Ripley, Donald Ripley, Naissa Foster, Katy Bidart, and Jory Bidart; and is also survived by his five great-grandchildren: Judy Ripley, Connor Ripley, Sawyer Anderson, Noe Foster, and John Foster.
John Ripley, born in Sawtelle, CA, moved to Oklahoma at a young age where her he attended Stony Point Elementary for five years. In 1932 his family traveled to California settling in Raisin City. By the time John was in the 5th grade, he was picking cotton and grapes, and cutting and hauling hay and alfalfa on the farm his father and uncle established.
In 1936 he started high school at Caruthers H.S. and graduated in 1940. He excelled in college prep and agriculture classes with hopes of going to college, earning a scholarship to Cal Poly.
In 1942 John gave up his farm deferment and voluntarily joined the Navy where he served on board the USS Burns DD588 Destroyer. He originally was a radar operator, but then was assigned as a 40-millimeter Gunner’s Mate. He served until Japan surrendered.
After meeting in early 1941, John married his first love, Aileen Wise, on March 4th, 1945 while he was on leave. They eventually settled in Fresno and raised their two children, Jeff and Judy.
In 1946, John entered the plastering trade working for M.E. Summers Co. until he ventured out and started his own business. He retired in 1984.
In 1987, he lost his first love Aileen to cancer. He was able to find love again with the help of his sister, Frostie, who introduced him to Doris Green. They were wed in April of 1989 and were happily married until her death in July of 2018.
John lived life to the fullest and loved with all of his heart. He was extremely proud of his life, his children, his grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren. He will be missed dearly.
Viewing will be held on Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019 from 4pm - 7pm at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home in Fresno, CA. Funeral Service will be Thursday, April 4th, 2019 at 10am in their Chapel.
