David was born on January 4, 1936 in Tulsa Oklahoma. He moved with his family to Aspen, Colorado in l944 where he learned the printing trade from his father Verlin Ringle who owned and published the Aspen Times, the weekly newspaper.
In the summers as a teenager, he worked for the U.S. Forest Service, and loved to watch for fires. Later he attended college at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, and received a degree in Teaching Vocational Arts. After graduation, he was tasked by his father to go to Minnesota and pick up a Jeep. However, in addition to getting the Jeep, he picked up a cute stewardess from North Central Airlines, Gloria Musso, who was his Aspen High School sweetheart. They married in Colorado soon after their return.
About this time, after discovering independently that they were both drawn to the Lutheran Church, they became Lutheran at the same time. David’s first job after marriage was teaching school in Kansas City, Kansas. Six years later they came upon a bundle of joy, a boy, whom they adopted and named Brent.
In 1963, Gloria developed arthritis, so they moved to the Phoenix area for her health. At that time, Gloria worked for Valley National Bank and David was a draftsman for the Salt River Project.
During this time David switched jobs and became a salesman for AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans). He retired from that position after 25 years of service.
David and Brent enjoyed working on cars, especially Jeeps, and hunting big game in Arizona. They also went to Coolidge to dove hunt.
In his last 22 years, David was passionate about jail/prison ministry to which he felt called by his God and in which he was active until his death. He was 84 years old when he finished his mission.
David and Gloria were married for 63 years at the time of his death. He is survived by Gloria and Brent. He was preceded in death by older brother John, survived by younger sister Judith and younger brother Daniel.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the jail/prison ministry of Christ Lutheran Church.
Jason Buck
Sorry to see a soul like David depart from this earth. He was a great friend and mentor to me and helped me to have more compassion for inmates through the jail-prison ministry run by he and Gloria. David, you are missed. I can’t wait to have a good laugh with you in heaven. God bless Gloria, Brent and all who call you family.