Kenneth Rehkopf Ralston

in Louisville, Kentucky on December 18, 1925. He had two older siblings - brother Gilbert and

sister Wanda, who preceded him in death.

Ken Ralston led a happy full life that could be the envy of many, but well earned by him. He

served his country faithfully in World War II as an Infantryman in the European Theatre,

primarily in France and Germany, and was discharged with the rank of Sergeant - earning a

Bronze Star.

After the Army, Ken went to college at the University of Kentucky and graduated with an

Electrical Engineering Degree. During his years at U of K, he met and married his sweetheart,

Betty Jane Ison, his wife of 62 years. They went on to have 2 sons, Alan and Sam. Ken worked

for The Travelers Insurance Company in Louisville and was transferred from Kentucky to

California where he worked in the Los Angeles area and then in the San Francisco Bay area.

After retiring in California, Ken and Betty moved to Charlotte, NC, then to Ocala, FL where they

played golf and bridge and made life-long friends. Ken was an avid golfer and had a 9

handicap; he got a Hole In One at The Links of Spruce Creek on April 16, 1997. They later

moved to Texas, living in Frisco. After Betty’s death, Ken moved to The Woodlands, the

Tomball area and finally the Tomball Retirement Center.

Ken was a Kentucky Colonel, and a Mason. He was a friend to many and all will remember him

for his warmth, common sense and good humor.

Alan says his favorite memories of his dad are the fun times they had growing up and his dad

teaching him to water ski, to work around the house and build things, and fix everything. Alan

then enjoyed his dad coming to help him with projects around his own home as he got older.

Alan remembers a favorite saying of his dad’s: “A left handed carpenter is a right handed

carpenter’s best friend” - Alan and Sam are both left handed and Ken is right handed.

Sam shares Al’s memories and says that Ken was never too busy to play a game of ping pong

or tennis with his boys. The houses we lived in were always warm and full of love and laughter.

Dad was full of life and humor, he had to be to keep up with his two sons. The only time I was

ever able to beat him at golf was two days after he had cataract surgery, and then only by 2

strokes. As a child he was my dad, as a teenager he was my father and as an adult he was and

would remain my dear friend. To him I was always his son and I know how much he loved me.

Ken wrote - Through the years, I have been known by many names that include: Kenneth,

Kenny, Private, Private First Class, Sergeant, Ken, Dad, and Gramps. Of all of these, the one I

like best is Dad. There is nothing that compares to being a Mom or Dad. To me the greatest

thing in life is watching over your children helping them in any way possible, seeing them grow

from little ones into young adults, and then move on to adult life. This was the greatest thing

that my wife, Betty, and I did in our life.

And, what a legacy they leave - 2 sons, Alan (Joeby) and Sam (Pam), 8 grandchildren, and 19

great grandchildren.

Ken will be buried privately at the National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas beside his dear wife

Betty, who passed away June 12, 2012.