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EVANS, Ralph Wayne

EVANS, BOHN, GRIFFIN, HOUCK, BROWN, STREET, HOWARD, DAVIX, MARTIN, EDWARDS

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 4/16/2018 at 03:05:32

Obituary ~ Ralph Wayne Evans
July 01, 1937 - March 16, 2018

The Leon Journal-Reporter
Leon, Decatur County, Iowa

Ralph Wayne Evans was born July 1, 1937, in Grand River, Iowa, to Garel and Francis (Bohn) Evans. Ralph died on March 16, 2018, at Lamoni Specialty Care at the age of 80.

Ralph attended school at Grand River, Iowa, graduating as salutatorian of his graduating class in 1955. One of the highlights of his high school career was playing basketball for the Grand River Dragons.

Uncle Sam came calling in 1960, and Ralph enlisted in the Air Force on August 4, remaining in the service of his country until August 4, 1964, when he was honorably discharged. During those four years Ralph was stationed at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas, where he was a mechanic on the B47 and B52 bombers. While stationed at Dyess, he also served on temporary duty at Walker Air Force Base in Roswell, New Mexico, and at Greenham Common in London, England.

During his time in Abilene Ralph met Billie Darlene Griffin who was to be his wife for the next 53 years. The two married on June 6, 1964, in McAdoo, Texas. After Billie’s graduation from college in 1965, the couple moved to Iowa. They purchased the family farm near Grand River where they lived for a number of years with their two daughters, Patricia Lynn and Tiffani Michelle. Ralph farmed until his retirement in 2010. During his time on the farm Ralph raised soybeans, corn, popcorn, cattle, and hogs.

During his younger years he enjoyed bowling, hunting, and tinkering on anything that had an engine in it. As he grew older, his interests changed to solving puzzles of all kinds and building model cars and airplanes. He served on the Grand River Volunteer Fire Department and was a long time member of the Charles Ladd Post of the American Legion and a member of the Grand River Baptist Church.

Ralph was a people person and made friends easily. One of the highlights of his life was serving on the Board of Directors for Clarke Electric in Osceola, Iowa, for 24 years and cultivating the many friendships he made there. Another highlight was continuing the life long friendships formed during his years in the Air Force.

After back surgery Ralph entered Lamoni Specialty Care in July of 2015, where he remained until his death.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Bonnie Houck and husband, Deral (Slim); one brother, Rodney Evans; and three brothers-in-law, Richard (Dick) Brown, Richard Street, and Jack Howard.

He is survived by his wife, Billie; two daughters, Patricia Evans-Davis and husband Shane Davis of Osceola, Iowa, and Tiffani Evans and friend Lance Martin of Leon, Iowa; three grandsons, Alexander (Alex), Aiden (A. J.), and Anderson (Ace) Edwards of Leon, Iowa; two sisters, Eileen Howard of Des Moines, Iowa, and Donna Brown of Draper, Utah; one sister-in-law, Anne Evans of Harrison, Arkansas; numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives; and many, many friends.

Visitation 2:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 21, 2018, Slade-O'Donnel Funeral Home, Leon, Iowa. Memorial Service at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Marh 22, 2018 at Lamoni United Methodist Church, Lamoni, Iowa; interment at Grand River Cemetery, Grand River, Iowa.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lamoni Specialty Care in Ralph's name.

Slade-O'Donnell Funeral Home of Leon, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, April of 2018


 

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