John Adams Ripley

RIPLEY-John Adams Ripley, age 92, passed away in Whittier on February 4, 2010. 'Jack' was born in Lincoln, NE, in 1917, the son of Edwin and Dorothea Ripley. At the worst of the Great Depression, when Jack was 15, his father died of an ear infection. Despite the difficult financial circumstances, he was able to attend the University of Nebraska. He earned money for his education by printing small jobs on a printing press that he had installe d in the family's basement. He received a BS degree in Business Administration in 1940. Jack met Mary Louise 'Tish' Speidell during his college years, and they were married on September 1, 1940. They migrated to the Los Angeles area in 1941. He entered the Navy in 1943 and was assigned to teach radar classes at the Treasure Island naval base in San Francisco. They returned to the Los Angeles area after the war. Their son John was born in 1948, followed soon by Paul in 1950. The family moved to Whittier in 1951, buying a home on Ramona Drive and then moving to Catalina Avenue in 1959. Jack became a member of the Y's Men, helping to construct buildings at the Whittier YMCA camp. He participated in the YMCA Indian Guides with both his sons. He became the partner of the late Ted Martin in a Los Angeles advertising firm in the late 1940's, later becoming full owner of the firm. Their work was primarily business-to-business advertising. Jack retired from active involvement in 1982 after some 35 years as agenc y owner. After his retirement, Jack enjoyed home improvement projects as well as traveling in their small motor home. In his 70's, he became a self-taught computer whiz. His final years were affected by progressive dementia but were contented and active. He is survived by Tish, his wife of 69 years; sons John (Donna) and Paul; his step-grandchildren Jennifer and Jill, and various cousins, nieces, and nephews. Jack will be greatly missed for his honesty and integrity and his loving interest in those near and dear to him.