Franklin Ribble

Franklin Ribble, of Lubbock, TX, passed peacefully into the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ on January 18, 2025, at the age of 87. Born outside of Worland, Wyoming on February 3, 1937, Frank was the seventh child of eleven of George Joshua Ribble and Rose Aline (Bosch) Ribble.

Frank was a gentle Christian man with a big laugh, quick wit, and a sweet tooth, especially for strawberry ice cream. Helping people and studying the Bible for himself and with others gave him great joy and confidence. He led a quiet, peaceful and humble life, giving strength to his wife, four kids, and the church families that depended on him.

Frank started that humble life growing up on the family farm, enjoying the simple life of being outdoors, having plenty of food, and working on farm equipment. He helped his mom and older siblings run the operation after the sudden passing of his father at the tender age of ten. One of his favorite stories from this period was that he drove a tractor back to his uncle’s farm across the county when he was just nine years old! Frank continued his driving escapades as the school bus driver during his high school years since he lived at the end of the route for the county school. Despite having to grow up fast, Frank excelled at school, earning a full academic scholarship to the University of Wyoming. Two major events happened during college that shaped his adult life: first, after reading the Bible for himself, Frank was baptized and committed himself to follow Christ, and second, he found the love of his life, Carolyn Sue Walton, during his junior year. On June 1, 1959, he graduated with a BS in Mechanical Engineering in the morning, he then got married in the evening, and that same night Frank and Sue left for their honeymoon and his new job in Texas.

Frank was quickly moved from Texas to the Chicago area by his company where all four of his children were born at the same hospital and delivered by the same doctor. In 1972, Frank and Sue moved the family to Colorado, realizing a dream to be back in the Rocky Mountain area to raise their family; all four children graduated from the same high school, so the plan worked. Frank dedicated his life to the church, serving as deacon or elder in congregations of the Church of Christ across multiple states. Professionally, Frank worked in various industries as an engineer in Texas, Illinois, Colorado, and Florida, and during his career was listed as a co-inventor on at least 3 U.S. patents and 1 patent in Germany. He was a registered Professional Engineer (PE) in three states: Illinois, Colorado, and Texas. While Frank and Sue lived in Florida, he earned his MBA from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

After retiring, Frank and Sue moved to Lubbock in 2006 after her tragic accident to be close to their daughters. Frank patiently and tenderly took care of his wife Sue until her death in January of 2015. Frank is preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, his parents, and nine siblings: Pearl Ribble, Clinton Ribble, Laura Ribble Fontaine, Lucille Ribble Demorest, Joan Ribble Propp, Mary Lou Ribble McRann, George Ribble, Florence Ribble Kitchel and Richard Ribble.

Those left to cherish his memory include his sister Jessie Saunders of Billings, MT, many nieces and nephews, and his four children: David Ribble (Becky) of Parker, CO; Carol Self (Vic) of Lubbock, TX; Glenn Ribble (Gaye) of Fort Collins, CO; and Janet Falbo (Ray) of Lubbock, TX. Frank leaves a legacy of six grandchildren, including Briana Davis (Matt) of Ft Worth, TX; Kaila Cox (Jim) of Parker, CO; Ryan Self of Austin, TX; Brandon Ribble (Suzanne) of Windsor, CO; Kendra Orr (Alex) of Edmond, OK; and Luke Falbo of Lubbock, TX; as well as nine great-grandchildren.

Visitation with the family will be held 5:30-7:00 pm on Friday, January 24, at Combest Family Funeral Home’s Venue on Broadway, 2202 Broadway Avenue in Lubbock, TX. A memorial Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, January 25, in the upstairs Flag Room of the Sunset Church of Christ, 3723 34th Street, in Lubbock.

The family wishes to express their love and gratitude for the church family at Sunset Church of Christ for being the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. We wish to say thank you for the deep care and love shown by the staff of Brookdale Remington Park Assisted Living, for the friendship and love shown by the friends and staff at Brookdale Grand Court Independent Living, and for the compassionate and professional care provided by both Beyond Faith Hospice of Lubbock and the Combest Family Funeral Homes. Memorials may be given to the ministry of Sunset International Bible Institute, 3723 34th Street, Lubbock, TX 79410, or online at www.sunset.bible.