Dorman D. Ripley

Dorman D. Ripley, 90, of Brookfield, joined his personal Savior Jesus Christ face to face December 5, 2020.  Dorman was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, uncle, brother, neighbor and friend. He will be missed by many people.

Dorman was born on September 10, 1930 and was raised on a family farm in Linneus, Missouri. He joined the United States Army in 1948 and served as a sergeant first class in the Tank Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Armored Cavalry, in Augsburg, Germany, for 38 months. When he returned to the States he met the love of his life, Pat Powell. They were married on Sept. 6, 1953 and enjoyed 63 cherished years together. Their family’s foundation was the Lord. Together they raised four children in a Godly home, a value that has carried on throughout the next generations. 

For the majority of his career, Dorman worked as a sales manager for the Sara Lee Bread Company. This role moved him and his family around Missouri to the communities of Macon, Chillicothe, St. Joseph, and Brookfield, where they eventually returned to retire.  Dorman faithfully served as a deacon at Park Baptist Church, an act that overflowed into how he loved and led his family. His unwavering devotion to scripture, his friendliness toward his neighbors, and his compassionate care of his late wife are what many will fondly remember about Dorman. He was dearly loved by his community and family.

Dorman is survived by his children: Debby and Mark Sprague of Lincoln, NE; Danny and Gail Ripley of Lee’s Summit; Deann Clawson of Buckner; and David and Denise Ripley of Marshall. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and other relatives.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Pat Ripley; his parents, Orville and Edna (Thompson) Ripley; brothers, Joe Ripley, Harold Ripley, and Donald Ripley; sisters, Helen Bryan, Doris Lewis, and Erma Rulon; and son-in-law, Kenny Clawson.

Due to Covid-19, a Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date. There will be a private family funeral at Wright Funeral Home, followed by a burial with military honors at Memorial Gardens. To make a donation in remembrance of Dorman, please donate to the American Heart Association or The Parkinson’s Foundation. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dorman D. Ripley, please visit our floral store.