Thomas Rippee

Thomas Rippee, son of the late Roy and Geneva (Dinwiddie) Rippee, was born November 9, 1939, in Hartville, Missouri, and departed this life July 16, 2025, at Cox South Medical Center in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of 85 years, 8 months, and 7 days.

Thomas grew up on the family farm just outside of Hartville, Missouri. He attended grade school at Green Valley, where he would walk to school alongside his childhood friends Charlene Key, Ethaleen, and Coraleen Stigall “up hill, both ways, barefoot, in the snow”. Later, the schools would consolidate, and he attended Manes Grade School. He then attended high school at Hartville, where he played basketball and softball. Thomas was very athletic, and his very proud mom could be heard chanting from the bleachers, “Run, run, run, that's my boy!” His athleticism is still talked about to this day. Thomas was baptized at the age of ten at the Low Bottom Springs in the Gasconade River.

Thomas’ sister, Hattie Rose, set up a date for him with one of her friends, Patsy Stigall. It was just three short years later that they were united in marriage in the front yard at Vernon Weavers. They did not let the grass grow on their young marriage; they left straight from the wedding and moved to Kansas City, where he had a job waiting for him. Once they arrived in Kansas City, they stopped at the grocery store, picked up bread and lunch meat, and went back to the apartment. Patsy packed his lunch, and he took off to work. Thomas worked for Owens Corning Fiberglass, from which he retired after 35 years.

In 1963, a friend at work invited him to join him in playing golf. Thomas was never the same. To say he loved to golf is an understatement. In his spare time, he enjoyed watching sports, fishing, and hunting various game. Thomas has fished every fishing hole known between Rippee Ford and Competition. He was a faithful member of Green Valley Baptist Church, where he served as the Sunday School Superintendent and bookkeeper for many years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Geneva Rippee, one brother, Lee Rippee, and one infant sister.

He is survived by his loving wife, Patsy Rippee, his two sons, Tom Rippee (Veronica), of Independence, Missouri, and Curtis Rippee of Troy, Missouri, one brother, Francis Rippee, one sister, Hattie Rose Davis, six grandchildren, Ashley Harrison (Andrew), Allison Hermann (Aaron), Ben Rippee (Mary), Jessica Rippee, Clayton Rippee (Jackie), and Geneva Gennings (Jordan), nine great-grandchildren, and many more family and friends.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him.

Memorial contributions can be made to Coon Creek Cemetery in care of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home. Donations can be placed at Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home Hartville, or by Mail: P.O. Box 236 Hartville, Missouri 65667.