Britt Juhlin Ripley

Britt Juhlin Ripley 1948 - 2022

An empty stage didn’t stand a chance when Britt Ripley entered the room.

A master storyteller, with dozens of poems performance ready, he made it his life mission to make every space brighter.

I guess you think you know this story.

You don’t—the real one’s much more gory.

The phony one, the one you know,

Was cooked up years and years ago. (Roald Dahl’s Cinderella)

And he succeeded. With a twinkle in his eye and his charismatic personality, he would over and over again make life-long friends from perfect strangers and endear his family to him forever!

Britt Juhlin Ripley was born in Salt Lake City, Utah to Robert and Lillian (Julie) Ripley and was the youngest of 4 children. He was his mother’s “little wubber boy”. He grew up in Tucson, Arizona and worked hard to become a star in both school and sports. He became a state champion in football at Tucson High and held state records in shot put. After high school, he lettered in track at the University of Arizona.

He later served an LDS mission in The Great West Central States Mission. It was on his mission, that his mom sent him a quote from a sermon, which he memorized and quoted often. It became his life creed:

“We must take time, take pains, have a plan, form spiritual habits if we are to keep our souls alive…”

(“Life” by Joseph Fort Newton)

After his mission, Britt met the love of his life, Rosanne. He quickly won her heart, and they were married in June 1971. Britt would often smile and say, “I am the love of the love of my life.”

He received his bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Arizona (U of A). In his class of 300, he was one of only 30 graduates, and from that graduating class, the only one to go on to own his own architectural firm.

After the arrival of their first child, Telacia, they moved their young family to Mesa Arizona. In Mesa, Britt pursued his career by starting his own architectural firm, Ripley Architects. It was there that Britt and Rosanne’s family flourished. They had three more children: Treg, Tyson, and Tristin. Together Britt and Rosanne raised these four with a steady dose of love, creativity, and work ethic, passing on a drive for beautiful space and design. Indeed, Britt’s legacy lives on in his talented and creative children whom he adored.

Architecture was not only Britt’s profession, it was his passion. Just as he transformed atmospheres in the room with his puns and poetry, he had a vision to transform living spaces into beauty beyond what most could see. With his beloved Rosanne by his side, he designed, created, and renovated structures with unparalleled imagination. Any space under Britt’s architectural juridiction—became a masterpiece. He also continued his education by earning a master’s degree in Environmental Planning (& solar energy) at Arizona State University.

Britt was licensed and practiced in 5 states + internationally. He won several awards including one for a solar designed elementary school, Pioneer Elementary, in Mesa, Arizona. In addition, Britt created his own design-build firm, Ripley Builders, where he designed and constructed high-end custom homes throughout the western US and Hawaii.

After years of success, Britt stepped away from his architectural design/build practice to take a position as the Area Architect in southeast Asia for the LDS Church. As he went into this new adventure, in the previous 6 years, only a handful of church buildings were able to be built in that area. In typical Britt fashion, he revolutionized the design build process. At the end of his 3-year tenure, that area was on track to build 300+ church buildings in multiple countries, creating an original design for chapels throughout Asia.

Britt’s curiosity, creativity, and energy for life led him into many other adventures and pursuits. Britt obtained his private pilot license, worked as a professor, wrote many of his own stories, was a natural with ceramics, had a green thumb in gardening, was a dog whisperer :), mastered architectural lettering and calligraphy, and LOVED TO DANCE. From soaring high up in the clouds in a small plane to scuba diving with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Posse to fishing and dutch oven cooking, Britt was ever a man on the move and always learning.

Britt loved God and his fellow man. He spent his life in service. He served on many committees, counsels, and the U of A student senate. He also served in many roles in his church & community as scout master, youth leader, and bishop (twice). Truth be known, Britt was probably happiest when he was with his family. A visit to his children’s homes meant--bring on the renovations! No project was a chore--only another chance to connect with his family and create more beauty and joy in the world.

Britt had such a huge heart and loving personality, that it was hard to resist hugging this gentle giant. He was the most loving father, husband, and adored by his 14 grandchildren, who knew him as ‘Happy Pappy’. He also had so many lifelong friends that he loved and considered them part of his family as well.

Britt peacefully passed on to his next adventure surrounded by his loving family.

Thank you, Britt, Dad, Pappy, for the creed you lived by. Thank you for every story, every poem, every project you imagined and made better. We loved seeing the world through your eyes. Your vision, your creativity, righteousness, humor, and your zest for life will live on through your posterity!

PLEASE NOTE THE DATE:

A Celebration of Life will be held in Britt’s honor on Saturday June 3, 2023 at 3:00 P.M. at 5721 Ridge Creek Road in Murray, Utah 84107.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family under the “Tribute Wall” tab above.