Richard “Dick” Cripps

Richard “Dick” Cripps

Richard “Dick” Cripps, a loving, family man, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes on February 25, 2023, at the age of 73, while on vacation at his favorite destination with family present in South Padre Island, TX.

Richard is survived by the love of his life, wife Sandra (Bryant) Cripps of 52 Years; his children, Julie Ann (Jonathan) Hanson, Paula Jeanne (Matthew) Thomas; his brother Roger Cripps (Sandy Brown); his sister Sandra Lynn Cripps (Kevin Budd); his beloved grandchildren: Alexander (Al) and Zachary (Zach) Hanson, William and Emily (Girl) Thomas; and a number of cousins, nieces and nephews.  He also leaves behind a great number of friends that cherished his tough exterior and gentle core.  Richard is predeceased by his parents Victor and Loretta (Linton) Cripps and his sister Sharon Diekman.

Richard was born in Gladwin, MI on December 4, 1949.  He was co-captain of his high school football team at Farmington High School, in Farmington, MI.  On June 18, 1971, he married Sandra, his high school sweetheart, the one with the “great legsâ€.  In April 1977, they welcomed their first child Julie Ann, and in September 1979, they welcomed their 2nd child Paula Jeanne, both girls were the most important people in their lives.  Both girls married men that Richard highly respected and loved as his own.  He was a true patriot and a proud member of the Army National Guard.  As he was a hardworking man, he owned his own construction company and was a proud mentor to family and friends.  His most recent passion included being a USCCA instructor. He was a strong supporter of our second amendment rights and highly believed that education provides the best gun safety.

Richard was a devoted and amazing father. He became a Girl Scout troop camp consultant, he never missed a swim meet, symphony orchestra concert, cross country, or track meet.   Along with Sandy they volunteered to support every aspect of their girls lives, including volunteering for school trips and many fundraising adventures.  Together they created a home environment that allowed many of their children’s friends to feel their love in a fun and safe environment. His true colors were revealed when he held his first grandchild, Alexander (Al).  His grandfatherly love and devotion for family increased as each additional grandchild was born, Zach, William, and Emily.

Richard, with his wife by his side, was a cherished grandfather and the biggest fan of Al and Zach at their baseball games and rarely missed any of them, he equally enjoyed William’s karate classes and hearing about Emily’s dance class.  He loved to travel with Sandy and spend quality time with his family camping, hunting, fishing or simply making memories with them, whether that meant messing with his train collection, sporting clays, telling “dad†jokes, or the many other adventures they all shared together.  He was so proud of all of them, and it showed in how he interacted and demonstrated his love to each of them in his own special way.

Richard will be truly missed.  Our family hopes you will take this time to remember something about him that made you smile, laugh, or feel loved.  Please consider an extra prayer for all our healing hearts.

In upholding Richard’s wishes a funeral service will not be held.  A celebration of life is more fitting for his loving, strong, funny, stubborn, wonderful self.  Please join us in July to raise a toast, share some amazing memories and celebrate the life of a great man, husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, and friend.

4 Comments

  • Tom Zimmer Posted February 28, 2023 11:10 am

    Sue and I haven’t connected with Dick and Sandy, except via phone, for 3 years. We would make plans to meet and something would interfere. Fortunately, we visited with them 2 1/2 weeks ago, just before they left for South Padre. I was lucky enough to have my last handshake and hug from a true friend. He will be greatly missed.

  • Sandra Brown Posted February 28, 2023 4:04 pm

    What a beautiful memorial. I’ve always felt that if there were more loving families like yours, this country would be so blessed. As I am blessed to be a part of you all.

  • Diana Hicks Posted February 28, 2023 5:23 pm

    Dick was such an inspiration to so many high school girls through track-and-field. We became friends with the whole family through him. You will be missed. Our love and prayers to the family.

  • Jim bird Posted March 1, 2023 3:40 pm

    My wife and I enjoyed all the baseball games over the year’s and it didn’t take long before you knew where he was sitting. He alway’s had something funny to say and we loved being around him. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
    Jim & Mary Bird. (Noah Ericsson’s grandparents)

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