John Charles Ripko

John Charles ""Rip"" Ripko, Major Air Force Ret, of Centennial, CO passed away during the morning hours of Thursday, November 28, 2013 at Assured Assisted Living in Castle Rock, CO after more than a 10 year battle with Alzheimer's. The funeral service will be at Ft. Logan National Cemetery on Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at 3:00pm with an open house reception to follow at 16636 E Dorado Ave, Centennial, CO 80015 from 4:30pm to 8:00pm. John was born August 3, 1942 in Patterson, NJ to John and Audrey. He received his Bachelor of Arts from San Diego State University (SDSU) in 1964. He was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity at SDSU. John was married to Peggy Ripko (Conway) on Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, WA in 1967. They were happily married for 46 years. After graduating from SDSU, John was commissioned into the United State Air Force, where he achieved the rank of Major. He was honored many times while in the Air Force including the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with Four Oak Leaf Clusters. He served his country for 21 years before retiring in 1985. He was then employed by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment before retiring in 2003. After being born in Patterson, NJ, John also lived in Albuquerque, NM, Riverside, CA and San Diego, CA. While in the Air Force he was stationed at McChord Air Force Base in Tacoma, WA, Kadina Air Force Base in Okinawa, Wheeler Air Force Base in Honolulu, HI, Fort Meade, MD, Air Reserve Personnel Center in Denver, CO, San Vito Air Force Base in Italy, Grand Forks Air Force Base in ND and Beale Air Force Base in Yuba City, CA. John is survived by his wife, Peggy; his 4 children, Michael John and his wife Peggy, Patrick John and his wife Lauren, Edward ""Ted"" Joseph and his wife Emily and Megan Elizabeth; 5 Grandchildren, Jenaya Allison, Alexander James, Max John, Luka Conway and Finnegan Patrick and the rest of his family and friends. John was preceded in death by his parents John and Audrey. John lived a full life and enjoyed an active life that included running, golfing, playing softball and baseball and cross country skiing. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to either the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (http://www.nationalmssociety.org/donate/index.aspx) or the Alzheimer's Association of Colorado (http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp) or Legacy Hospice at www.myLegacyHospice.com