Ralph Howard

Richmond

Ralph Howard Richmond, 94, passed away peacefully at his home in Gold Beach, Ore. on April 27, 2015. Ralph was born in Carthage, Missouri on December 26, 1920 to Jerry Edward Richmond and Eva Pearl (Howard) Richmond. Ralph married Wilma Louise Miller in 1941; they moved to the west coast during World War II. Ralph joined the US Navy in 1942 and served as Chief Yeoman aboard the troop transport ship the USS Natrona. He was involved in every major campaign in the Pacific during WWII. Following the war, in 1946, Ralph began his 31-year career with the Ford Motor Company as Assistant Traffic Manager. He retired in 1977. Ralph and Wilma bought Ireland's Rustic Lodges in 1975 and moved to Gold Beach in 1977. He finally "really" retired after the sale of Ireland's in 2005. Ralph had a good heart and was a compassionate man. Raised on a farm during the Depression, he saw his parents providing to neighbors in need, a legacy he continued when folks arrived in Gold Beach down on their luck. Ralph is survived by his three children, Alice Kelley and Linda Nicosia of Santa Clara, Calif., and William "Bill" Richmond of Gold Beach. He was blessed with 11 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. Ralph was preceded in death by Wilma, his wife of 70 years, son, Ralph Howard Richmond, Jr. and his grandson, Jimmy Kelley. A family memorial will be held later in the year.