Ralph Flores Sahagun Jr.

Ralph joined the US Navy at the age of 17. His naval service included service in Vietnam. Following his discharge from the Navy he joined the Army National Guard in 1968. After 12 years of enlisted service he became a commissioned officer, a Mustang. In 1985 he again went on active duty stationed at the Pentagon. A graduate of the Command and General Staff College he remained on active duty and served at Army Headquarters, The Pentagon, Washington, DC for 12 years in logistical staff positions. He retired a Lieutenant Colonel with over 38 years of honorable military service. His military awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards), Army Commendation Medal (4 awards), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Vietnam), Navy Unit Commendation, and many others. He was actively associated with the US military the large of his life.

Ralph loved golf, travel and sports cars. During his life he visited such distant lands as Japan, Hong Kong, Philippines, Mexico, much of Europe to include Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, and England, all 50 states and 3 of the U.S. territories. Most of his travels were a result of military duties which took him to the corners of the earth.

An active Mason, Scottish Rite Mason, and Shriner, he generously gave of his time, efforts, and resources to Masonic endeavors and the Shriner's Children's Hospitals. He was a volunteer at the Shriner's Hospital for many years. A great love was participating with the Shriner's go-cart drill team. He loved driving the go-carts in local parades and did so for more than 10 years. His Shrine brothers will remember him as "Rotten Ralph", a nickname he seemed to be fond of. He was proud to say that he lived his life in accordance with "The Shriner's Creed". He was also a Patriot Guard Rider and participated in honoring many of our countries fallen heroes as they returned home.

His wife of many years, Virginia (Jinx) Sahagun, preceded him in death- but he was fortunate to have found love and devotion again with Barbara Phillips. Barbara and Paul, her husband of more than 40 years, and Jinx were good friends long before Ralph met Jinx. Like Jinx, Paul also developed an illness and passed away. The romance that developed between Ralph and Barbara is truly one that stories are made from. Ralph considered himself blessed to have found Barbara and love once again.

A loving and caring husband, father, and grandfather, he is survived by:

Brothers: Joseph Sahagun of Hayward, California and John Sahagun of Santa Maria, California

Stepsons: Curt Davis of Fair Oaks, California and David Sahagun of Bedford, Texas

Stepson James and wife Heather Van Vleet and grandchildren: Danny, Christine, Kendra and Kelsey of Lander, Wyoming

Stepson David and wife Tammy Van Vleet and granddaughters: Jacqueline, Victoria and Alexandria of Wright, Wyoming.

Ralph will be interred in Lander, Wyoming.