Joe N. Ripley, 85, of Livingston, Texas passed away on Sunday, February 17, 2019 after a courageous battle with several ailments. He was born in Waco, Texas on August 4, 1933 to Dee S. Ripley and Mary Scott Ripley. He is preceded in death by his parents and two sisters (Amelia Mathews and Dorothy Gelb) and one brother (Shelby Ripley).

Joe is survived by his wife and best friend, Lena Ripley, after 55 years of marriage; two sons Kevin Michael Ripley and wife Sharon of Shepherd, Texas; and Brian Lee Ripley and wife Jeanne' of New Caney, Texas.  He was blessed with ten grandchildren and nine great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews along with friends and neighbors that he loved dearly.  Joe and Lena enjoyed taking in foster children from CPS in Houston for several years.

Joe served in the army for two years. After putting himself through college at Baylor University in Waco, Texas and receiving his CPA certificate, he was recruited by the United States Treasury Department in Houston and worked as a Computer Audit Specialist with the IRS.  He retired after 30 years of service and moved to Livingston, Texas.

During the early years of his marriage to Lena, Joe enjoyed sports cars, fishing in Galveston, and working in the church the family attended in Houston.  He also loved to dance, go to art shows, shell peas, watched the Houston Oilers and later, the Texans. In retirement, he loved to read incessantly, work crossword puzzles, play with the grandkids, identify and feed the birds in the yard, and tune in to all the western shows on television. His greatest enjoyment was being a Scoutmaster for his sons and helping out with T-Ball teams.  He will be missed by many.

Visitation will be held at Pace Stancil Funeral Home in Cleveland, Texas on Friday, February 22, 2019, from 1:00 to 1:45 pm.  Services will be held immediately after visitation at Farley Chapel Cemetery on FM 2666 in Shepherd, Texas.  The officiant at the graveside service will be Doyle Ives.  Pallbearers will be members of the family.