Ralph Jones Van Shoubrouek

On Saturday, November 6, 2021 at 1:59 p.m., Ralph burst into Heaven, doing backflips in his new body (one imagines), thrilled to have finally arrived in the heavenly abode he had contemplated, talked about with anyone who would listen, and yearned for, especially in his last days as his earthly body slowly failed him. He was home with Our Beloved Lord Jesus. And this world had lost a playful, boyish, loving, silly, sweet, faithful and brave man.

Born in Ozona, Texas on November 17, 1961, Ralph grew up in Southern California, spending summers and holidays on the family ranches in Texas. He graduated from La Quinta High School, Westminster in 1979. He then spent time in Malaysia, working on an offshore oil rig and traveling all over Southeast Asia. In 1985, he graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, returning to California and going on to build a 30-year career in the aerospace industry as a rocket scientist, among other things.

Beginning his profession with McDonnell Douglas, Ralph supported development of the Delta rocket, participating in its launches of military and commercial satellites. He was lead for 2nd Stage Electronics on the Delta III X-Stage, a test vehicle to prove out the electronics for the Delta rocket. He also supported its troubleshooting. This role was significant for lots of reasons, not the least of which was the sacrifice of living and working in Ohio for several months, away from his children in California, as well as several weeks in Florida for the launch from Cape Canaveral. He went on to work for Raytheon Company on the design and development of highly classified military satellites.

Ralph had a top U.S. Security Clearance for his “top secret” work and there was much his family was not privy to in his daily work life. In fact, Ralph’s and Usha’s daughters and their daughters’ friends were convinced Ralph was actually a secret agent living a double life! But he was proud of his contributions to the International Space Station currently orbiting our Earth as well as his work on the Delta rocket, currently retired to the grounds of the Discovery Cube in Santa Ana, California. Electrical engineering was in his blood and he loved it for itself, hobbying with it in his workshop in his free time.

Ralph and wife Usha shared a home in Yorba Linda with a large backyard reminiscent of the wide-open spaces of Texas that Ralph so loved. There he enjoyed his fruit trees, Southern California’s near-perfect weather, and the inevitable nightly breezes scented with orange blossom, jasmine and skunk (a real country within the city). He also delighted in hosting family, his daughters’ weddings and events, and friends in his large yard. Ralph had a passionate love for Jesus Christ and regularly attended Calvary Church East Anaheim. He enjoyed hunting, woodworking, landscaping, gardening, playing the drums, home improvement projects, as well as various travels and camping in his and wife Usha’s travel trailer. His favorite trips were to his second home on his beloved ranch in Sutton County, Texas.

Serious heart surgeries at the age of eight and again twenty-eight cast a lingering shadow over his parents, older siblings and, later, his children for all his life. Still his health never stopped him from enjoying life. He loved God’s creation, good food and drink, a good cigar, people, music and fun. His personality, well-known goofiness and “dad jokes” endeared him to all. (He was also well known in his intimate circle for his long and passionate, even heated, debates relating religion and politics!) Welcoming and generous, he treated the young people in his life as his children, earning a permanent place in their affections.

After battling numerous health issues for the past nearly-ten years with courage, grace and an unfailing faith in his beloved Lord Jesus Christ, he succumbed to his ailments and slipped away peacefully on Saturday, November 6. He is in his glorified body now, shining as the sun in the Kingdom of his Father (Matt:13:43), delighting in the promise of Our Lord, which he held to with a passionate, unflinching conviction unto the very end. He is Home.

Ralph will be deeply missed by his parents, Fred and Jan Van Shoubrouek and siblings Fred (Penny) Van Shoubrouek III, and Sandra (Mike) Glover; his wife Usha, daughters Amy (Kyle) Jackson, Lauren (Jacob) Mobley, Alexis Johnson, Marissa (Daxton) Johnson Edwards and grandchildren, Jordan Van Shoubrouek, Jack and Allison Mobley, and Kyle (KJ) Jackson; his nephews and niece, as well as a well-loved, extended family in Texas, relations around the country and the world through his wife, Usha, and a wide circle of friends.

CALIFORNIA: Ralph’s life was commemorated on Wednesday, November 17, 2021, his 60th birthday, with a Celebration of Life Birthday Party. In lieu of flowers, those wanting to are invited to make a donation to Ralph’s favorite causes: Smile Train, Open Doors USA, or the Wounded Veterans Project.TEXAS: An Open House will be held at the home of Fred and Jan Van Shoubrouek in Ozona from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 21. Funeral services will take place at Ozona United Methodist Church on Monday, November 22 at 10:00 a.m., followed by graveside services at Cedar Hills Cemetery in Ozona. Luncheon will be served at Church.

For Ralph’s beloved wife Usha, the following quote from scripture says it best…

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the LORD, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”2 Timothy 4:7-8

Until we meet again, Ralph, shine brightly!