Lawrence Raymond “Laurie” Rip, 80, was called home to be with the Lord, on March 1, 2008, at St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Bellingham. He was born May 28, 1927, in Oak Harbor to Peter and Paulina (Roodzant) Rip and was one of four siblings raised on the family farm, on what is now the NAS Whidbey Golf Course. He attended public schools and then the Oak Harbor Christian School from the fifth through the eighth grade, while working on the family farm.

Laurie left school after the eighth grade to work on his brother Jake’s farm, raising turkeys and chickens. Laurie later had several jobs, working as a logger, working at the Co-op Feed Store and then for the city of Oak Harbor. On April 1, 1949, he married Joyce Haveman in Lynden, Wash.

Laurie purchased his brother Jake’s dairy farm on Monroe Landing Road. He spent more than 20 years working as a dairy farmer, which was a very special time for him.

Laurie later began working as a carpenter for John VanKal. John VanKal retired and in 1983, Jeff and Laurie Rip established Rip’s Roofing and Construction Company. Laurie retired in 1989, leaving Jeff to carry on the family business. Laurie and his twin sister, Rosa Koorn, celebrated their 80th birthday last year.

Laurie was a lifetime member of the Christian Reformed Church of Oak Harbor, serving as a Deacon and Elder. He followed in the footsteps of his father, serving as a member of the Board of Directors for the Oak Harbor Christian School, as did son Jeff. Another family tradition was attending the Christian School. His great-grandchildren are the fourth generation of the Rip family to attend the Christian School. Laurie and Joyce were also dedicated foster parents, serving as the Interim Foster Home for Island County. They assisted 60 foster children between 1964 and 1970.

Laurie loved raising flowers, especially his orchids. He was a very skilled woodworker, making furniture for his church, for Crisis Pregnancy Center and for anyone in need. One of his labors of love was building cedar chests for each of his six grandchildren. He loved to travel and cook and was able to take his family on two trips to Hawaii and two cruises.

Laurie is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joyce, at the family home; two children, Launa Riepma and husband Leroy, and Jeffrey Rip and wife Rose, all of Oak Harbor; two sisters, Gertrude Haveman and Rosa Koorn, both of Oak Harbor; six grandchildren, Leanne Sherman, Kelly Riepma, Jeremy Rip, Cassandra Karjalainen and husband Mark, Chad Riepma and Kyle Rip; three great-grandchildren, Haley Sherman, Brenna Sherman and Celbie Karjalainen; and numerous nieces and nephews. One brother, Jacob Rip, preceded him in death.

Visitation for Laurie will be held at Burley Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, March 5, from noon to 8 p.m. Private family graveside services will be held at Fircrest Cemetery with memorial services tentatively set for 2 p.m. Thursday, March 6, at the Christian Reformed Church, Oak Harbor, with Pastor Randy Beumer officiating. (Please contact Burley Funeral Chapel for exact date and time.) Pallbearers will be Laurie’s six grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee or the Oak Harbor Christian School. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.