Rip Dennis

Richard Lee "Rip" Dennis

April 20, 1954 - May 3, 2009

My heart aches- I miss you, I love you......

http://mem.com/Story.aspx?ID=2998070

For those of you who are not familiar with Rip-

Rip was my uncle and VERY dear to me. He and Wanda (my close aunt) have been together for 20 years. Going back even further- his oldest daughter Allison was best friends with my sister Sally when they were about 5 years old..... Allison loved her daddy something strong and whenever she'd come over to spend the night with Sally, she would end up having me call him in the middle of the night to come get her because she missed him. Now 25 years later, I am the one missing him; however, Rip won't be making a trip in the middle of the night to come scoop me into one of his big ole bear hugs to make everthing all right. He was really good at that.

Rip was a 'solid' in my life. One who was always there. He supported and encouraged me. He loved me a ton. I never in a million years thought he wouldn't be here- that that solid would be gone. That I would be sitting up in the middle of the night trying to fit Rip into words.

Rip stood well over 6 feet, had a gruff voice with a thick Southern accent, a smile that stretched for miles .... eyes that sparkled with a constant twinkle, shining with excitement, mischief, or love. His heart beat bigger than all of us together. There wasn't anything he wouldn't do for others- he gave, he tended, he cared, he loved.... and there was no exception to who he helped.

Rip was a fine man. He was greatly loved and is missed by so many. He is one of those people that we will all sit around and tell stories about- he has filled so many lives with memories. I know I sure have been blessed with many of them.