Joseph J. Cripe

Joseph J. Cripe 98, Indianapolis, prominent businessman and civic leader, died February 10, 2004. Mr. Cripe was born on November 15, 1905 in Carroll County, IN to the late Perry and Clara (Roth) Cripe. He graduated from Butler University and joined the Indianapolis Convention Bureau, a career that spanned over four decades, until he retired in 1973 as the Director. Mr. Cripe was responsible for setting goals to attract larger numbers of national conventions to the city. Many of those included the American Chemical Society, the American Bar Assn., and the American Social Work Assn. Perhaps one of Mr. Cripe's largest professional accomplishments revolved around his work on the 1945 committee that helped create the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as we know it today. This committee, headed by Cripe, did the negotiations to persuade Mr. Tony Hulman to purchase the Motor Speedway. In addition, he was president of the International Association of Convention Bureaus from 1949-50. He had served as president of the Indiana Society of Association Executives. He was also a member of Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs, the Indianapolis Athletic Club, and Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. Mr. Cripe was awarded a Key to the City in 1973 and was a Kentucky Colonel. When he retired in 1973, a story appeared in the Indianapolis Star, indicating a "Job Well Done". Mr. Cripe was also the owner and publisher of This Week in Indianapolis, which was the city's first hotel, restaurant, and event guide. Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Norma (Redmond) Cripe; son, Joseph J. Cripe, Jr.; daughter, Jane Sulya; brother, Gene Cripe; grandchildren, Joe, Maggie, and Ben Cripe, Peter Rust, James Sulya. He was preceded in death by siblings, William Cripe, Marjorie Reynolds, and Josephine Riley. Friends may greet the family on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. in Leppert Mortuary, Nora Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, of which he was a member, with interment following in Crown Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the church, 5692 N. Central Ave., Indpls., IN 46220. ,