Ralph Okker

05/30/1946 – 10/08/2012

Ralph Wendell Okker, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away on October 8, 2012, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, of complications from leukemia. He was surrounded by his family, which he would say was the only thing he ever really needed in his life.

Ralph was born in Paterson, New Jersey, to Stephen T. Okker Sr. and Beatrice C. (Snyder) Okker. He enlisted in the Army in 1966 and met his wife, Elva Lopez, that same year at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, where they were both stationed. They were married April 13, 1968, in Ralph’s hometown of Wayne, New Jersey. Together they had five daughters.

Ralph served in the U.S. Army for 20 years and retired as a Sergeant First Class (E-7) in 1987 at Fort Carson, Colorado. Throughout his career, he completed two tours in Vietnam and lived the military life with Elva and their girls in many locations, including San Antonio, Texas; Crailsheim, Germany; Fort Polk, Louisiana; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Corpus Christi, Texas; Aurora, Colorado, and Colorado Springs, Colorado. While serving in the Army, Ralph received various honors and awards, most notably the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal. He proudly served in the prestigious 101st Airborne Division (Screaming Eagles), 82nd Airborne Division (All-American) and the 5th Special Forces Group (Green Berets), among others.

After his first retirement, Ralph earned his Associates Degree in Automotive Technology and taught courses at Pikes Peak Community College. He later started a second career as a driver for Waste Management, where he retired in 2008 after nearly 20 years of service.

Ralph was a devoted family man and lived for spending time with loved ones. He is survived by his wife, Elva, his five daughters (Yvonne M. Okker-Padilla, Monika M. Okker, Amanda O. Derengowski, Candice C. Okker-Berry and Kristina E. Okker) and eight grandchildren (Joshua, Sergio, Jacob, Savanna, Joseph, Trevor, Cosette and Tucker).

A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, October 12, 2012, at 10 a.m., Chapel of Memories, 829 S. Hancock Ave., Colorado Springs, CO. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in his honor to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.