OBITUARY
Wallace Dempsey
June 1, 1942 – March 30, 2021
SMSGT(Ret.)Wallace James “Rip” Dempsey, Jr., 78, of Cabot passed away Tuesday, March 30th. Born in Minden, WV to parents Wallace and Frances Dempsey, Rip graduated high school and went on to join the Air Force soon after. He served his country for 26 years, ultimately retiring as a Senior Master Sargent in charge of the 50th Flight Squadron. He discovered a love of flying during his service time, flying with the flight crews as a Flight engineer. His career took him to every continent and to all 50 states.
He was an active man who continued to travel the world after his retirement and also loved to hunt and fish. Rip always dedicated time to the V.F.W. in Jacksonville, where he served as Post Commander. He was a kind man who loved to take care of his family and friends, no matter what the need was.
Rip is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Doris Ann Dempsey; brother, Jack Dempsey; sister, Janice Whitlock; grandsons Brock and Cody and special friend, Margie Ruple.
He is survived by son, James Richard Dempsey and his wife, Susan; step-daughter Robyn Mahoney and her husband, John; step-daughter, Amberly Schmidt and step-son, Nathan Stricklin; brothers Roger Dempsey and Gerald Dempsey; sisters, Ruth Ladish, Brenda Aiello and Linda Kyzer; grandchildren Kendra, Matt, Jacob, Brittanie, Felicity, Nicholas, Nathan Jr. and three great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at 12:00 pm on Friday, April 2nd at the Faith Baptist Church, 301 Bill Foster Drive in Cabot with funeral service following at 1:00 pm. Pastor Richard Hamlin will officiate. Burial with Military Honors will follow in the Rest Hills Memorial Park in NLR.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to V.F.W. Post 4548, P. O. Box 482, Jacksonville, AR 72078 or to Arkansas Hospice Foundation, 14 Parkstone Circle, NLR, AR 72116.
Please sign Rip’s guest book at www.griffinleggettresthills.com and leave a memory of him for his family.
Services
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Visitation
Friday, April 2, 2021
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Funeral Service
Friday, April 2, 2021
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Burial/Military Honors
Friday, April 2, 2021
Memories
Wallace Dempsey
have a memory or condolence to add?
ADD A MEMORYElsa Ray Family
April 6, 2021
Rip was a Dear Friend with our Family and will be missed and not forgotten.
Elsa Ray and Family
David King
April 6, 2021
Rip you will always be in my thoughts as one of the good guys in my life. I appreciated you taking my dad around places where you and him would just be buddies. Oh the stories around deer camp fire were about as good as Jim Beam. You almost burning your camper up, you after that rat and finally got it, you saved Frank from walking a million miles in the deer woods, you seeing every deer someone killed. Rip I will miss your stories but once again thanks for being part of our lives. You’re a great man RIP.
Ricky King
April 6, 2021
Rip meant the world to my family and I. Knowing Rip for 40 years and being in his life, has been an honor. He was such a great person with the biggest heart. He took my dad under his wing and took care of him when it got harder for dad to get around. They took trips to West Virginia, deer camp, and they were the best of friends. Rip was just one of those people, you just love being around. I’ll miss you Rip. I know you & dad are hunting together again.
Ruth Ladish
April 1, 2021
So sorry I wasn't able to come to the service due to surgery recovery. I remember when Wally would come to visit Mom I would try to be there any time I could. He was a special brother and will be missed.
Mary Pearson
April 1, 2021
I want to extend my condolences to the family of Wallace Dempsey. I graduated with him at Collins High School in Oak Hill, WV in 1961. He was a fine person. I know he'll be missed.
Mary Pearson
1961 Classmate
Jeannie Fry
April 1, 2021
Rip was a kind thoughtful neighbor, always a joy to be around. Christmas in our neighborhood was special every year with the lighted Santa in the tree. We always wondered how he got it up there, including this past 2020 Christmas when we all needed a lift. We will miss him!
Jeannie and Tommie
Carol Crace Anderson
April 1, 2021
Mr. Rip has been our neighbor for over 8 years and while we didn’t personally know each other, he was a great neighbor. Always kept his yard nice, no loud parties, no barking dogs, and no screaming kiddos...made him a fantastic neighbor. RIP Mr. Rip. Hope our next neighbors are as great a neighbor as you were.
Adrienne Walls
March 31, 2021
I am so sad to hear that my friend of 20 years had passed away. Ripper was a good friend and he was always there for me when I needed help or just to talk to. He was a very active person, because when I tried to call him, he would always be outside in his yard work or just sitting out side on his patio with a bourbon and water. He loved his family very much, great stories he would tell me of his past adventures while he was in the Air Force. Although I was not present at the time he was the VFW Post 4548 Post Commander, we would compare our notes as I was the President of VFW Auxiliary Post 788 of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was a great leader and was truly a dedicated Veteran. Ripper you will be dearly missed by me and my family - Laurie & Jeremy and Nate and Sam Mead will also miss you. Love you for ever.
James Dempsey
March 31, 2021
Dad you were my Superhero, you taught me a lot. I will miss you greatly. One of my favorite times was us going and eating Chinese food. Some how it will never be the same. It was a honor taking care of you at the end. I will always Love and miss you.
Linda Houston
March 31, 2021
Thank you Rip for the beautiful years you shared with my sister. Now yall will be together again. Dance. Sing and rejoice together ❤ R.I.P and enjoy eternal life ❤🙏
Edwin "Pig" Kidd
March 31, 2021
Soooo Sorry to hear of Wally passing!!! We graduated in 1961 together at Collins High !!! We would see each other at our class reunions!!! RIP>>>Wallace!!!!!!
Pig Kidd