Ralph Wesley Tolle

Ralph came into this world on September 3, 1929, born in San Antonio, Texas, to proud parents Raymond Wesley and Ruby Antoinette Tolle. He graduated in 1946 from Breckenridge High School in San Antonio.

In 1947, at the age of 17, Ralph joined the 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division of the National Guard. Subsequent to that, he joined the ranks of the United States Marine Corps in 1948.

In 1951, while serving with the Marines in Korea, he was sent home with frostbite, only to later meet and marry the love of his life, Gladys Youngblood, also of San Antonio, Texas. In 1952, the love of Ralph and Gladys was made more complete by the addition of their first son, Ronald Wesley, on March 26th. In 1957, as life continued, Ralph and Gladys welcomed their second son, David Lee, on June 11th. In 1959, on August 24th, to the eternal joy and pride of Ralph and Gladys, and not to be outdone by those who preceded her, Deborah Ruth joined the Tolle family. Then, in 1963, on August 4th, the family reached completion with the welcoming of Ralph and Gladys’ third son, Jonathan.

In 1969, Ralph returned from Vietnam, and retired from the Marine Corps to Escondido, California. In 1972, after concentrated study, Ralph graduated with Honors, with his Masters in Education from San Diego State University. Later the same year, Ralph packed up the family for the last time and relocated to Ottawa, Illinois, to begin his teaching career. During his time at Ottawa High School, he taught History, English, Consumer Education, Drafting, Metal Shop, Welding and Home Maintenance. During the same time, Ralph also taught night classes in Economics at Illinois Valley Community College, in Oglesby, Illinois. Not long after relocating to Ottawa, Ralph and Gladys found a loving place of worship and service at Grace Baptist Church. While at Grace Baptist Ralph embarked, with Gladys at his side, on his third, and most important career as he began teaching English and sharing his loving witness in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, People’s Republic of China.

Committed to the mission of teaching and sharing the Gospel of Love, in 1989, Ralph and Gladys gratefully continued their service with a second China tour, this time in Baoding. In 1992, Ralph and Gladys relocated to Edmond, Oklahoma. Shortly after doing so, they both joined the congregation at Edmond’s First Baptist Church. Ralph and Gladys both felt a strong pull to work with people from other countries and quickly found their niche with the International Department, at Edmond’s First Baptist Church. While at First Baptist, Ralph also became a Deacon and taught Sunday School in the International Department and later, for the older adults.

In 1993, Ralph and Gladys made their final missionary journey to China, serving in Anqing. In 1994, Ralph and Gladys returned home from their missionary service and settled in to their work with the Internationals and Older Adults. A year later, in 1995, Ralph started teaching English as a Second Language, on the campus at the University of Central Oklahoma.

In 2015, Ralph rested and finally retired. This gave him the chance to travel and visit Montana, seeing Old Faithful, Garden of the Gods in Colorado, the Black Hills, and many of our historical battlefields and monuments scattered across the U.S.

In 2020, Ralph relaxed into life with his family, reading and discussing his favorite books, reading and studying his Bible, watching movies and eating popcorn with his kids.

On May 24th of 2025, while at home, surrounded by his family, Ralph peacefully walked into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Ralph is preceded in death by his parents Raymond Wesley and Ruby Antoinette; his brother Jack and his sister, Beth Ann Gulick.

He is survived by his wife, Gladys and his children, Ronald, David, Deborah and Jonathan.

Ralph’s reach and touch have been so vast their fruit can only be calculated in heaven.

He will be lovingly, sorely missed as we look forward to seeing him again soon in the Father’s glory!

Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers for Gladys and the Tolle Family!

A visitation for Ralph will be held Monday, June 2, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Baggerley Funeral Home, 930 South Broadway, Edmond, OK 73034.

A celebration of life will occur Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Edmond's First Baptist Church, 1300 E. 33rd Street, Edmond, OK 73013.