Jerry M. Tephabock

Jerry M. Tephabock, age 79, of Ripley, passed away October 18, 2021 at Hubbard House following a long illness. He was born August 4, 1942, a son of the late Melvin and Virginia Tephabock of Grant County, WV. He became a resident of Jackson County in the late 1960’s after accepting an employment opportunity with the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service. He owned and operated Big T’s Sporting Goods in Ripley in the 1970’s. In the early 80’s, he became a landman in the oil and gas industry which eventually led him to working as an oil and gas inspector with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. He was promoted through the ranks of WVDEP’s Office of Oil and Gas becoming the supervisor of the field inspectors in WV, before retiring in 2007. Upon retirement, he created and operated J & J Oil and Gas Consultants, providing environmentally safe waste water treatment and disposal services to oil and gas drilling companies in WV. Jerry was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing with family and friends. In the 70’s and early 80’s, he was an active member of the Ripley Chapter of the JayCee’s, serving on their governing board, participating in community programs such as Toys-4-Tots, selling fresh evergreen trees during the holidays at the plaza in Ravenswood, and numerous other events and programs for the benefit and improvement of Jackson County and its residents. He had a life-changing experience when he traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina, where he donated his time and labor to Habitat for Humanity and assisted in rebuilding homes for those in need. He continued to donate his time and labor to Habitat for Humanity upon his return home and helped in constructing a home in Evans. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, DJ Tephabock of Ripley, WV; sister, Linda (Huey) Warnick of Elk Garden, WV; brother Lane (Debbie) Tephabock of Elk Garden, WV; daughter, Stephanie (John) Carr of Savannah, GA; son, Brian (Crystal) Tephabock of Masontown, WV; daughter, Jean (David) Bodie, of Ripley, WV; son, Joseph (Joyce) Taylor, of Ripley, WV; and daughter, Tettie (Ed) Tephabock, of Akron, OH; granddaughter, Tasha (Pete) Chapman of Mason, WV ; grandson, Justin (Tara) Morgan of Woodbridge, VA; grandson, John Robert (Laura) Carr of Savannah, GA; granddaughter Olivia Carr of Savannah, GA; granddaughter, Kaitlyn (Jonathan) Tephabock of Morgantown, WV; grandson, Zach Freeman of Morgantown, WV; grandson, Damian Williams, of Akron, OH; granddaughter, Amber Frost of Akron, OH; as well as 6 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. A celebration of his life will be held at Waybright Funeral Home in Ripley on October 29, 2021 from 1pm to 3pm. The family is asking for all current social protocols to be observed to ensure the health and safety of all in attendance. The family also expresses a heartfelt thank you to family, friends and even strangers, who have, at times unknowingly, made this experience easier. In lieu of flowers and live plants, the family strongly encourages donations be made to the Hubbard House (Hospice) in Charleston, WV in Jerry’s name and memory. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.waybrightfuneralhome.com