Leonard Clifford Ripley

Leonard C. Ripley, Jr., age 93, of Charleston, SC, husband of Mildred Martin Ripley, passed away peacefully with family at his side at Horizon Bay Senior Living due to complications of heart disease and dementia. His Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, October 29, 2014, in North Charleston United Methodist Church, 1125 E. Montague Avenue, No. Charleston at 11:00 A.M. The family will receive friends Tuesday, October 28, 2014 in J. HENRY STUHR INC., WEST ASHLEY CHAPEL, 3360 Glenn McConnell Parkway from 5:00 until 7:00 PM.

Leonard was born in Charleston, SC, he was the son of the late Leonard C. Ripley, Sr. and the late Tacie West Ripley. After graduating from the High School of Charleston (1939) he attended the College of Charleston until shortly after the Pearl Harbor attack when he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp. He was a Flight Engineer on both B-24 and B-29 bombers during the war. After WWII, he attended and graduated from Purdue University with an Electrical Engineering Degree. He worked for many years for West Virginia Pulp and Paper in North Charleston, SC. Later he worked as a Planner and Estimator for Southern Electric Company of Charleston, SC. He also owned and operated the first Concert and Events Sound Company in Charleston as well as Parade Float Company in North Charleston.

He was a lifelong Boy Scout and the recipient of the Silver Beaver Award, a distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. He also was the recipient of the National Exchange Club's "Book of Golden Deeds" which recognizes dedicated volunteers who give endless hours of their time and talents making their communities better places to live. Leonard was a man of faith and a lifelong United Methodist, having grown up in Bethel United Methodist Church in Charleston and as an active member of North Charleston United Methodist Church for 63 years. He served in almost every leadership capacity in the church.

He is survived by his wife of 72 ½ years, a son and a daughter, Leonard C. Ripley, III (Debra) of Charleston, and Marianne Ripley Rogers (Robin) of North Charleston; six grandchildren, Lauren Smith, Cliff Ripley, David Ripley, Allen Rogers, Brantley Rogers, and Casey Ripley; and nine great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, John Labree Ripley, Sr.

The family would like to thank Hospice of Charleston for their professionalism and loving care during his final days.

Memorials may be made to the Music Ministry or the United Methodist Youth of North Charleston United Methodist Church, 1125 E. Montague Ave., North Charleston, SC 29405.