On Thursday, March 25, 2021, Riley Ty Ripple left this earth too soon and returned home to a Heavenly Father and Savior who love him.
Riley was born in Provo, Utah on August 29, 1953 to Ross Wallace Ripple and Lorraine Adamson Ripple. He and his twin brother, Todd, were the youngest of 5 children.
From a very young age Ty developed a strong love of nature and being outdoors. While out in the yard, playing in his playpen, his parents marveled at the way he would watch hornets land on his playpen, then would carefully pick them up by their wings, let them go again, and somehow managed to never get stung. He never wanted to be inside and loved playing in the mud. His father joked that if there was a puddle within a 50 mile radius, Ty would find it. He loved playing in the foothills above his family’s home in Edgemont and would catch lizards and horny toads to take home as pets. On one occasion while his mother was doing laundry, she picked up a pair of his jeans he had folded so neatly, and got quite the surprise when she unfolded the pants and lizards ran out of the pockets.
As a teenager Ty spent every moment he could being up in the mountains, riding his horse Trindy, hunting ducks on the river, or fishing. He always loved the deer hunt, and after filling his own tag, would often go back out to help friends and family fill theirs. He worked hard in the family business, Ripple’s Drive In, and never gave his parents any problems. He did well in school and upon graduating from Orem High School he was awarded a scholarship to the Utah Technical College at Provo. He put his scholarship on hold to serve in the Arizona Holbrook Mission on a Navajo reservation, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. After honorably completing his mission, he returned home and earned his Associate in Applied Science in Welding.
Shortly after starting his family, Riley hired on with Utah Power and Light as a mechanic. He later received training as a telecommunications technician. While working full time, he went back to school and earned his Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Range Resources. For the following two years he spent his vacation time working with the US Forest Service on projects in Escalante, Utah. He contemplated hiring on full time with the Forest Service, but knew he could better provide for his family staying on with the power company, so he put that dream on hold. Riley worked for the power company for 43 years, retiring this past September. Riley took pride in his work and strived for perfection in every job he ever took on.
Riley was a wonderful father in many ways. Through his own example he taught his girls the importance of hard work and frugality, and took pride in working hard to provide for his family. He was known for being meticulous and organized in everything he did. He always tried to make things as simple as possible, and never wanted to be a burden to those around him. He loved his daughters very much, and it was made very clear to them that he would always be there to catch them if they fell. He was always the first to show up if he knew someone in his family needed help. He also taught his girls to love and respect nature, and took them on many trips into the outdoors for hunting, fishing, cookouts and camping. Through the fall and winter months he supplied his family with ample game that was considered to be a delicious treat.
Once Riley’s daughters grew up and started families of their own, he enjoyed getting to know his son-in-laws and taking them out on hunting and fishing trips. Riley loved his grandchildren with all his heart. He rarely showed up empty handed when coming for a visit, and loved bringing his grandkids treats from the store, surprises he had found for them on his hikes in the hills, or gifts he knew they would like. As life began to rob him of time and energy, he found joy in spending hours and hours using his spotting scope to scour the hillsides of American Fork and Provo Canyons. He loved to share with friends and family his stories about what he had seen, and would use a little point and shoot camera held up against his scope to capture images of the wildlife he had found.
Riley’s passing has left a great hole in the lives of his family and loved ones. He was a wonderful son, brother, father, grandpa, and friend.
He is survived by his four daughters, Sunny Gustafson, Nicole (Levi) Gillies, Rossi Ripple, Shaunie (Ryan) Merrill, and seven grandchildren he adored; Tayven, Braxton, Addington, Elayna, Mattilynn, Maverick, and Vance. He also leaves behind his mother, Lorraine, brother Paul (Sally) Ripple, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, Wally, his two sisters Leslie Riggins and Sheila Kindler, and his twin brother Todd.
In honor of Riley’s wishes, no services will be held, and his ashes will be rejoined with nature.
8 Condolences for Riley Ty Ripple
Condolences(8)
Michael Herbert says
March 30, 2021 at 12:18 amSo sorry to hear about Riley, really enjoyed working with him in the Jordan Valley Office, Always had an upbeat spirit and a friendly smile.
Rachel Stanford says
March 30, 2021 at 12:57 amI am so sorry to hear of Riley’s passing. He came to be a close friend in the office. I loved hearing his stories and he would regularly share photos of the wildlife he spotted while out hiking and exploring. He always made you feel like you were an important part of his life. Thanks for your friendship, kiddo.
Mark and Kim Lister says
March 30, 2021 at 2:37 amTy has been a good friend to both of us for many years. He and Mark worked together at the power company and enjoyed hunting and fishing together. We remember when your family came up to Idaho to see us on your way to Yellowstone many years ago. Sunny caught a water snake while she was here. Mark spoke with Ty quite often, especially during the last few months. I loved being one of the recipients of his wildlife photos for the past few years. We will miss having him in our life and we wish to sent you all our love and sympathy during this difficult time. We understand how hard this has been for Ty and for you. May you be blessed with happy memories and strength to bear each other up. May God Bless you all.
Jim Jardine says
March 30, 2021 at 6:33 pmSo sorry to hear of Riley’s passing. He was always there when I needed help in dispatch, explaining how and why. Always with a smile.
Neil Hellewell says
March 30, 2021 at 4:01 amCondolences to the family. Riley was a good man. There are many things that can be said about Riley but the best thing I can say is that he was a good man to know
Gene Nelson says
March 30, 2021 at 5:12 amI am so sorry for your loss he is great man and will be deeply missed. Sending prayers to you all and especially Riley. God bless you all
DeAnne W Garcia says
March 30, 2021 at 12:08 pmI count the years working with Riley as a blessing. He was one of the good ones. We were both “long-timers” with the Company. I remember many times looking down a long hallway and seeing Riley’s image and his distinctive walk at the other end. He’d always make it a point to greet you and chat for a couple of minutes. My life is richer having known Riley. To his family I send my deepest sympathy. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Elden Twitchell says
April 2, 2021 at 2:59 pmSo sorry to hear about Riley, and so sorry for your loss. I worked with Riley frequently for over 40 years. He was always quick and willing to help me work on problems from the ‘field’ and he was very good with his many talents. He is a friend. May God bless his family.
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