Our loving Father, Donald Ray Van Riper, walked into the arms of Jesus on Oct 16, 2024. Don was born on February 28th, 1931 in Cedarview UT, to Les and Ruth Van Riper.
Dad met and married the love of his life, Barbara Jean Lyons; in Canon City, Colorado on October 28, 1953, they enjoyed 68 wonderful years of marriage. They raised six children and opened their home to many others. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather to a grateful family who loved him very much.
Don was a long-time member of First Baptist Church in Lander, Wyoming since 1962 where he served as a Deacon for many years.
In the early years 1948 Don enlisted in the navy reserves where he served for just over 7 years when he was honorably discharged. He started his career-building dams across the southwest eventually headed to a project in Yellowtail Montana breaking down in a small town called, Lander Wyo. He heard of a job with a steel mine and went to work there where he remained until he retired. He worked as a millwright/welder, rancher and farrier on the side, many of the boys helped with his shoeing business. He retired from US Steel in 1985 and continued to ranch and shoe horses for many in the area.
Dad/Don is survived by, his children Don (Edie) Van Riper, Jerry (Susan) Van Riper, Barbara (Randy) Downs, Allen (Tara) Van Riper and Bob (Kathy) Van Riper, 17 grandchildren and 43 great grandchildren and 2 great/great grandchildren. His wife Barbara, his Parents, son Ron Van Riper, daughter-in-law Becky Van Riper and a grandson Shawn Van Riper, granddaughter Erin Barnes, preceded him in death.
Tentative dates for services are set for 5-24-2025 at First Baptist Church in Lander, Wyoming.
Condolences can be sent to 5415 Bogie Avenue Farmington NM, 87402.