Ralph was born deep in the Ozarks in Bass, Arkansas on Halloween in 1914. For his first 5 years, he lived in a farm community where water came from the creek and the toilets were out back of the house. The local one room school provided education only through the 5th grade, so at age 6 his family moved from Bass to the city of Bentonville, Arkansas, a trip requiring several days by covered wagon. He grew up there and graduated from Bentonville High School, where he played football. After graduating, he moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma , where he met his future wife, Mary Kathryn (Kay) Mehlhorn.
With war approaching, he moved to San Diego to work for Convair building B-24 airplanes, while Kay moved to Washington DC to work for the Navy. He married Kay in 1942, and they had two children, Ron and Joetta. In 1950, they built a home in Lemon Grove where they lived until his death on July 13.
In 1946 following the war, Ralph went to work for SDGE, eventually becoming a district storekeeper. Before retiring in 1977 after 32 years, he created the first company re-cycling and re-use program. He loved kids and family, and was an active volunteer with both Boy Scouts and Vista La Mesa Christian Church, where he was a member for 64 years. After retiring, he helped the San Diego Center for the Blind for 19 years.
He was an avid gardener and could grow almost anything. He enjoyed a lifetime of camping, fishing, golfing and traveling the globe. He will especially be remembered for his great sense of humor, wonderful ability to tell stories, and love of his family. He is survived by Kay, his wife of 73 years, son Ron, daughter Joetta, sister Estalee, 4 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 16th from 4 - 7 p.m. at Conrad Mortuary Chapel, 7387 Broadway - Lemon Grove, CA 91945. A Cryptside Service will be held on Friday, July 17th, 2 p.m. at Glen Abbey Memorial Park, 3838 Bonita Road - Bonita, CA 91902.
A Celebration of His Life is planned for Saturday, July 25th at 11 a.m. at the Vista La Mesa Christian Church located at 4210 Massachusetts Ave in La Mesa. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Memorial Fund at the Vista La Mesa Christian Church.
With war approaching, he moved to San Diego to work for Convair building B-24 airplanes, while Kay moved to Washington DC to work for the Navy. He married Kay in 1942, and they had two children, Ron and Joetta. In 1950, they built a home in Lemon Grove where they lived until his death on July 13.
In 1946 following the war, Ralph went to work for SDGE, eventually becoming a district storekeeper. Before retiring in 1977 after 32 years, he created the first company re-cycling and re-use program. He loved kids and family, and was an active volunteer with both Boy Scouts and Vista La Mesa Christian Church, where he was a member for 64 years. After retiring, he helped the San Diego Center for the Blind for 19 years.
He was an avid gardener and could grow almost anything. He enjoyed a lifetime of camping, fishing, golfing and traveling the globe. He will especially be remembered for his great sense of humor, wonderful ability to tell stories, and love of his family. He is survived by Kay, his wife of 73 years, son Ron, daughter Joetta, sister Estalee, 4 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 16th from 4 - 7 p.m. at Conrad Mortuary Chapel, 7387 Broadway - Lemon Grove, CA 91945. A Cryptside Service will be held on Friday, July 17th, 2 p.m. at Glen Abbey Memorial Park, 3838 Bonita Road - Bonita, CA 91902.
A Celebration of His Life is planned for Saturday, July 25th at 11 a.m. at the Vista La Mesa Christian Church located at 4210 Massachusetts Ave in La Mesa. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Memorial Fund at the Vista La Mesa Christian Church.
Ralph was born deep in the Ozarks in Bass, Arkansas on Halloween in 1914. For his first 5 years, he lived in a farm community where water came from the creek and the toilets were out back of the house. The local one room school provided education only through the 5th grade, so at age 6 his family moved from Bass to the city of Bentonville, Arkansas, a trip requiring several days by covered wagon. He grew up there and graduated from Bentonville High School, where he played football. After graduating, he moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma , where he met his future wife, Mary Kathryn (Kay) Mehlhorn.
With war approaching, he moved to San Diego to work for Convair building B-24 airplanes, while Kay moved to Washington DC to work for the Navy. He married Kay in 1942, and they had two children, Ron and Joetta. In 1950, they built a home in Lemon Grove where they lived until his death on July 13.
In 1946 following the war, Ralph went to work for SDGE, eventually becoming a district storekeeper. Before retiring in 1977 after 32 years, he created the first company re-cycling and re-use program. He loved kids and family, and was an active volunteer with both Boy Scouts and Vista La Mesa Christian Church, where he was a member for 64 years. After retiring, he helped the San Diego Center for the Blind for 19 years.
He was an avid gardener and could grow almost anything. He enjoyed a lifetime of camping, fishing, golfing and traveling the globe. He will especially be remembered for his great sense of humor, wonderful ability to tell stories, and love of his family. He is survived by Kay, his wife of 73 years, son Ron, daughter Joetta, sister Estalee, 4 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 16th from 4 - 7 p.m. at Conrad Mortuary Chapel, 7387 Broadway - Lemon Grove, CA 91945. A Cryptside Service will be held on Friday, July 17th, 2 p.m. at Glen Abbey Memorial Park, 3838 Bonita Road - Bonita, CA 91902.
A Celebration of His Life is planned for Saturday, July 25th at 11 a.m. at the Vista La Mesa Christian Church located at 4210 Massachusetts Ave in La Mesa. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Memorial Fund at the Vista La Mesa Christian Church.
With war approaching, he moved to San Diego to work for Convair building B-24 airplanes, while Kay moved to Washington DC to work for the Navy. He married Kay in 1942, and they had two children, Ron and Joetta. In 1950, they built a home in Lemon Grove where they lived until his death on July 13.
In 1946 following the war, Ralph went to work for SDGE, eventually becoming a district storekeeper. Before retiring in 1977 after 32 years, he created the first company re-cycling and re-use program. He loved kids and family, and was an active volunteer with both Boy Scouts and Vista La Mesa Christian Church, where he was a member for 64 years. After retiring, he helped the San Diego Center for the Blind for 19 years.
He was an avid gardener and could grow almost anything. He enjoyed a lifetime of camping, fishing, golfing and traveling the globe. He will especially be remembered for his great sense of humor, wonderful ability to tell stories, and love of his family. He is survived by Kay, his wife of 73 years, son Ron, daughter Joetta, sister Estalee, 4 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 16th from 4 - 7 p.m. at Conrad Mortuary Chapel, 7387 Broadway - Lemon Grove, CA 91945. A Cryptside Service will be held on Friday, July 17th, 2 p.m. at Glen Abbey Memorial Park, 3838 Bonita Road - Bonita, CA 91902.
A Celebration of His Life is planned for Saturday, July 25th at 11 a.m. at the Vista La Mesa Christian Church located at 4210 Massachusetts Ave in La Mesa. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Memorial Fund at the Vista La Mesa Christian Church.
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