Ralph E Ringer

Ralph Edward Ringer, (95), of Parkersburg passed away on Saturday, January 10th at Eagle Point Healthcare Center. He was born in 1930 at Buffalo Calf in Doddridge County WV, the son of the late Willis Ringer and Shelma (Day) Ringer.

In addition to his parents, Ralph was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Virginia Ringer (Bonnell); sister Lois Ringer; granddaughter Kassandra Ringer; and grandson Cameron Ringer.

He is survived by a daughter Becky Cook (Carl) of Vienna, WV; son Dwight Ringer (Katie Kovarik) of Atlanta, GA along with one granddaughter; Karri Cook Williams (Matt) of Cambridge, OH and one great grandson; Henry Williams of Cambridge, OH.

Ralph was a 1949 graduate of Doddridge County High School and a 1945 winner of the WV Golden Horseshoe Award. After working at Hope Gas in Clarksburg upon graduation, he enlisted in the US Air Force in 1951 at the start of the Korean War. After training as a jet aircraft mechanic and being stationed at bases in NY, IL, TX, and CA, he was deployed overseas to the Marshall Islands where he received the National Defense Service and Good Conduct Medals. During his time in the Central Pacific, he witnessed two thermonuclear bomb tests at Enewetak and Bikini Atoll as part of Operation Castle. He was also awarded membership as a Ruler of the 180th Meridian for sailing across the International Date Line in a Navy ship and the Ancient and Royal Order of International Dateliners for flying across the International Date Line in a military aircraft. In 1955 he received an Honorable Discharge as a Staff Sergeant while stationed at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM and was in the Air Force Reserves until 1959.

Upon returning to civilian life, he worked for Pittsburgh Plate Glass in Clarksburg before relocating in 1960 to Parkersburg and working at Marbon (Borg-Warner Chemical; GE Plastics). He enjoyed working there and had many friends at the plant prior to retiring in 1990. Oddly, the number of pranks perpetrated at the plant mysteriously declined upon his retirement.

Ralph was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed many years of hunting and fishing in Doddridge County with his father and son. Other favorite activities were playing guitar, riding one of the numerous Harley-Davidson motorcycles that he owned since 1950 and attending AMA flat track motorcycle races with the family. He was a member of Parkersburg First Church of the Nazarene and over the years enjoyed singing in numerous choirs.

The family would like to thank all of his wonderful neighbors and the employees of Wyngate Senior Living Community, Eagle Point and Housecalls Hospice who watched out for him during the later years of his life. Your conversations, care, and support for him were greatly appreciated.

A short visitation will be held from 11:00am to 12:00pm on Friday January 16th at Sunset Memory Gardens. A private family graveside service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Humane Society of Parkersburg P.O. Box 392 Parkersburg, WV 26102.