Judge J. Justin Ripley

Oct 21, 1934 -

Sep 14, 2021

J. Justin Ripley was born in Kotzebue, Alaska, on Oct. 21, 1934, to teachers J. Loyd and A. Teresa Ripley. He was raised in several Bering seacoast and Southeast Alaska communities, graduating from Sitka High School in 1952. He died in Green Valley, Ariz., on Sept. 14, 2021.

Upon graduation from Gonzaga University, he was commissioned in the U. S. Army. Following active duty, he served in the Washington and Alaska National Guards, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Military flying led to civilian aviation, where he earned a variety of fixed wing and helicopter ratings.

After graduating Gonzaga Law School, Judge Ripley served first as Law Clerk for the Hon. John Dimond of the Alaska Supreme Court, and then on the staffs of the Attorney General in Juneau and the District Attorney in Anchorage. In 1975, he was appointed to the Alaska Superior Court, a position he retired from in 1993. Subsequently he served as a private mediator resolving more than 1,500 cases.

Justin married Rossalie Cushman in 1985. Together they enjoyed camping and traveling in Alaska, Hawaii, the Lower 48 and around the world.

He is survived by his wife, Rossalie Cushman Ripley; brother, J. Gregory Ripley; five sons, J. Justin Ripley II (Wendy), Robert G. Ripley (Nancy), Lars M. S. Ripley (Karen), John F. Ripley (Patty) and Jeffrey V. Ripley (Teresa); as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

There will be a memorial in Anchorage, Alaska, date TBD. Event details and an opportunity to leave remembrances will be available at https://JustinRipley.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Stroke Foundation or the Alzheimer's Association.