Robert A Ralston

Robert Arthur Ralston, son of Lillian Eubanks Raulston and Artist Raulston, passed away July 1st just 12 hours shy of his 93rd birthday. Robert is survived by his two daughters Rolinda Duran and Lisa Butcher; his three grandsons, Benjamin Robert Butcher, Ben’s wife C’Ne Butcher; Eric Michael Butcher and the youngest grandson Tristan Richard Butcher. Robert was proud to be a great grandfather to Bella Ann Butcher. He always light up when she was around him.

Robert was preceded in death by his wife of 46 years Sadie Lee Yager 1996; his son Robert W. in 2022 and his son-in-law Rick Butcher in 2020.

Robert, called Rob by his mother, grew up on a small 26-acre farm 7 miles north of Clarksville, Texas. He did daily chores, picked cotton in the panhandle during the summer and got his first experience with modern technology when the family installed a party line, rotary dial telephone. The house was two rooms, had a wood burning stove, a route cellar and an outhouse. It had no refrigerator or air conditioning.

Robert graduated 2nd in his class of 16 from Dimple High School in 1948. He was only 16 years old when he graduated. Sometime during his schooling Robert decided he would drop the u from his last name and that is why his parents spelled their name differently from his. He soon moved to the Dallas area where he met and married the love of his life, Sadie Yager on April 19, 1950. He worked a series of jobs until he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1952 where he worked in the Signal Corp until his discharge in 1954. After honorable discharge Robert moved his wife and one year old son back to the Dallas area and eventually settled in Carrollton buying their first home in 1960 . Robert was a little league baseball coach, a Band Booster, served as an officer in his local labor union, and always ensured his children could participate in extracurricular activities. Robert worked 40 years making mattresses and box springs for the Simmons Bedding Company. At times he worked a second job to make sure bills were paid and the extracurricular activities were available to his three children.

At age 55 Robert started losing vision due to Age Related macular Degeneration becoming legally blind. He took a fall in 2021 while walking his dog Jeng’s and became deaf in his right ear and severely hard of hearing in his left ear. Even though he could no longer drive, he walked frequently, up to the age 88, to the grocery store, his bank and often to Burger King to get their two burgers for five dollars. Robert was frustrated by his vision and hearing loss, but he did not let it stop him from living. Robert lived in the Carrollton home until at age 92 he took another fall which led to his death.

Robert often made donations to the American Red Cross, the March of Dimes and the New Haven Cemetery Association. His family will dearly miss him, sharing memories and stories he told. He lived a long and productive life.