Thomas Ralph, Jr. 88 Jones

Jones, Thomas Ralph, Jr., 88, died Saturday, October 4, 2008. Viewing will be 9:00 A.M. ~ 9:00 P.M., Tuesday, October 7, at Downing Lahey Mortuary East. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 P.M., Wednesday, October 8, at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 7404 E. Killarney Place. Ralph is survived by his daughter, Ann Nellen (David) of Tucson, AZ and son, Thomas R. Jones III (Gloria) of Tulsa, OK and his sons step-children, Stacey Huckaby of Tulsa, OK and Eric Huckaby (Kimberly) and their daughter, Ella Marie Huckaby of Morris, OK. He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Claiborne. Ralph was born and raised in Norfolk, VA and graduated with a BS in civil engineering from Virginia Military Institute, where he played football, basketball and baseball. After graduation, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Field Artillery. Shortly thereafter, he transferred to the Army Air Force, and graduated from flight training school in Smyrna, TN, as a B-24 airplane commander. Ralph was retained at Smyrna as a fight instructor and check pilot. His request to transfer to the Eighth Air Force bomber squadron was pending when WW II ended. He retired as a Captain, and later received the World War II Victory Medal. Returning to civilian life, Ralph joined Alcoa, as a sales engineer in Richmond, VA, where he worked for 13 years before being appointed Branch Manager for Alcoas Wichita Sales Office in 1959. He held that position for 17 years before retiring from Alcoa and becoming a project and sales manager for George C. Christopher and Sons. He worked there until retirement in 1991, and then turned his attention to volunteer projects. Ralph served as a volunteer worker, Committee Chairman, and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Episcopal Social Services at Venture House of Wichita. He was also a vestry man and a senior warden of St. Stephens Episcopal Church, where he was a member of the Parish Council. An avid golfer, Ralph also served on the Board of Directors and as Vice-President of Crestview Country Club, where he was a member for almost 50 years. He remained a southern gentleman throughout his long tenure in the Midwest, which he truly grew to love. Memorials to: Venture House Episcopal Social Services, 1005 E. 2nd St. N., Wichita, KS, 67214. Viewing will be 9:00 A.M. ~ 9:00 P.M., Tuesday, October 7, at Downing Lahey Mortuary East.