Mr. Ralph Vernon Stuart Sr.

A life well lived…in loving memory of Ralph Vernon Stuart Sr, born July 21st, 1928 in Rolla, Kansas and passed away October 11, 2010 in Renton, Washington.

Ralph was the youngest of 6 children born to William “Joe” Stuart and Martha Myrtle Stuart of Rolla, Kansas. His older brothers Delbert and Albert Stuart have pre-deceased him as well as his older sisters Ida Landrum and Katie Youngren. His beloved wife of over 50 years, Loretta R. Stuart (Helsel) pre-deceased him in 2006 and he missed her dearly during the last years of his life. He is survived by his sister Mary Beth Matyas and his sons and daughters in law, Ralph Jr & Kim, Gary & Gina, Ron & Gail.

Ralph grew up in the “dust bowl” days of the Midwest and graduated from Rolla High School (Kansas) in 1946. During his younger working years he helped out on a family farm tending to the growing of wheat and other grains. He later moved to Kansas City to attend a school to become a radio and electronics technician. From there he went on to Wichita to work for the Boeing Airplane Company for approximately 20 years. At one point in the late 1960s, Boeing transferred Ralph and family to their Seattle location and the Stuarts migrated west. It wasn’t long after that the company started laying people off and Ralph was one of many people who adopted the saying, “Last One Out of Seattle Turn Out the Lights! (or another one of his personal favorites, “That’s a Helluva Note!); a new beginning in California was in store. Ralph lived in the Eureka and McKinleyville areas for another 30 plus years working for Eureka High School and as the Owner/Operator (with Loretta) of Parkwood Place Mobile Estates. They moved back to Renton, WA in 2006 to be near family. Ralph loved tinkering with clocks, computers, his car and miscellaneous electronics. He enjoyed fishing, camping, bowling, playing the slots at the casino, and just being with his family. He is loved by all who knew him and he will be missed tremendously. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Lung Association.

The Family requests this special link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFVSMTVavhQ) be added to Dad’s MeM page on the web. It is a link to a special song that just happened to be playing on the radio when he passed, We don’t think it was just coincidence….

Arrangements entrusted to Greenwood Funeral Home, Renton, Washington.