Edward Ripple

Edward Powell Ripple died peacefully on January 16, 2019, surrounded by loved ones. He was known for his storytelling, outdoor adventures, and having the mind of an engineer. His true loves in life were his family, the wilds of Florida, and the mountains of Colorado.

Edward was born August 6, 1931 in Miami, Florida to Edward & Evangeline Ripple, and enjoyed a childhood filled with model trains and airplanes. He participated in Demolay, gymnastics, and glee club at Miami High School and graduated in 1949. He studied engineering at the University of Miami before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1950. Ed served during the Korean War and achieved the rank of Sergeant.

While on base at Ft. Bliss, Texas he met a nurse, Mary Lou Homer, who became his wife in 1955. Their children were Meri Lynn in 1956 and George Edward in 1959, and their marriage ended in 1978.

Ed spent the 1960s and 1970s in Hialeah, Florida riding motorcycles, water skiing, and hunting in the Everglades. He spent his time at Orange Blossom Hobby Shop, Sunshine Fishing Club, and the Hialeah Range & Gun Shop, which he owned & operated for 11 years.

In 1973 Ed retired from the gun business and bought a farm, moving to Paonia, Colorado. Ed farmed 300 acres of fruit and raised basset hounds. In 1979 Edward attended a church picnic and was beaten in a game of horseshoes by a lovely brunette, Ruth Gilbert. They married in 1979, creating a new family with Ruth’s 7 year old daughter Marie Ailean. Ed taught Ruth the art of fruit farming, and their daughter Laurel Anne was born in 1982.

In 1986 Ed moved the family to Miami, Florida and along came their son Logan Edward in 1991. Having a son brought Edward back to his hobbies, especially model railroading. Ed worked in sales and accounting and enjoyed being around his Florida relatives again. In 2001 they moved back to Colorado, this time to Grand Junction, where Ruth’s relatives settled in 1904. Ed spent his final years at the Gilbert family farm in Orchard Mesa, driving the tractor and sitting with his chickens. Ed treasured his five children, seven grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and his 39 years of marriage to Ruth.

Edward was preceded in death by his parents and his son, George Edward Ripple. He is survived by sisters Wilna Hemperly and Carolyn Foster; brother David Ripple; children Meri Lynn Wilmot (Don), Marie Williamson, Laurel Carpenter (Jacob), and Logan Ripple; grandchildren Donald Wilmot (Shanea), Kara Harms (Michael), Berlin Williamson, Ramona Carpenter, Emmett Carpenter, Nicolai Murillo, Cohen Murillo, Trinity Harms, Jonny Harms, Ethon Wilmot, Raychel Wilmot, and Mercy Wilmot.

Services are Wednesday January 23 at 1:00pm at First United Methodist Church 522 White Avenue. A private family inurnment service with military honors will be January 24 at Veterans Memorial Cemetery at 2830 Riverside Parkway. In lieu of flowers please send donations to HopeWest Hospice.