Ralph LeRoy Turley, 76 years, left this earth Aug. 29, 2011 to be with the Lord.
Ralph was born Oct. 28, 1934 in Modoc, Kan., to Robert and Alma (Borst) Turley. He was the youngest of 10 children.
Ralph grew up in western Kansas where he met the love of his life, Sandra Lois Evans. On July 24, 1953 Ralph and Sandra were united in marriage in Oakley, Kan., and to this union three children were born.
The family moved to Ava, Mo., in 1962. Ralph farmed many years as well as worked in several local grocery stores. He left the area for a few years traveling in the motel and residential care business. Upon returning to Ava he owned and operated Benny’s Restaurant until his retirement in 1999. Ralph was a Christian.
Ralph was preceded in death by his wife, Sandra of 55 years; his parents; four brothers, Robert, Earl, Willie and Clarence, all of western Kansas; four sisters, Gertrude, Estella, Vanna and Dorothy, all also from western Kansas; and a grandson, Amos Everett.
Ralph is survived by one son and wife, Kim and Barbara Turley and children, Derek Turley and Kory (Turley) Stucki, all of Springfield, Mo., his daughter Kay and her husband, Darren Everett and children, Ace, Brittney, Cole and Jesse Everett all of Ozark, Mo., and his daughter, Kris and husband, Dwayne Goff and children Gage and Kortney Goff of Jonesboro, Ark.; one great-granddaughter, Willow Stucki, of Springfield, Mo.; and one sister, Elsie Wren, state of California; and numerous nieces, nephews and many other loved ones.
The last two years, Ralph really enjoyed playing cards and eating goodies with all at the Ava Senior Center and playing cards and visiting with the boys at the pool hall. He loved being with his children and all his grandchildren and great-granddaughter.
Ralph had a great sense of humor and was loved by many and will be greatly missed.
Funeral services for Ralph will be Friday, Sept. 2, at 2 p.m. in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with burial in the Denney Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the funeral home. Officiating will be Pastor Oren Alcorn.
Online condolences may be made to www.clinkingbeardfuneral home.com.
