Ralph Jay Roe

Ralph was born in Walsh, Colorado on September 15, 1934. He was the son of Merle and Ruth (Overman) Roe. His father was a Friends minister, so he lived in Colorado, Idaho and Kansas during his formative years. Ralph graduated from Haviland Friends Academy. His college years were spent at Friends University in Wichita, Kansas where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business. During these school years Ralph enjoyed playing football and basketball. He was known for his beautiful singing voice, particularly for the song “Old Man River.”

Ralph married Shirley Anna Knight on December 26, 1954, at the Friends University Church in Wichita, Kansas. As Ralph finished his degree, they welcomed two children, Shyrl Ann and Alan. In 1959, Ralph and Shirley moved to Paonia, Colorado where he managed Garret’s Department Store, during this time they had two more children, Gary and Pamela. Ralph’s career shifted from retail to wholesale sales when the family moved to Denver. This proved to be a good fit for him, and he continued on this path until he retired. A store owner once commented, “Ralph is a good salesman because he acts like he could care less if I buy anything or not.”

Ralph loved watching football and basketball; he was a big Kansas Jayhawks fan. He loved woodworking and much of the furniture in their home was made by him. He also enjoyed spending time with his family and loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Ralph met Gyneeta in 1994 while attending a church singles group. Gyneeta remembers enjoying Ralph’s company because he was very sweet and a solid Christian man. They were married on May 9, 1996 at the Palisade Nazarene Church. During their marriage they had lots of fun traveling together; their goal was to visit all fifty states between them, which they did. When traveling by car, Gyneeta remembers they would never pass up an antique store.

Ralph is survived by his children, Shyrl (Tom), Alan, Gary, and Pam (Shane), 6 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren, his ex-wife and mother of his children Shirley Quinn, his wife Gyneeta and 3 stepchildren, Scott (Stacey), Cory, Sara (Jim), 6 step grandchildren, and 2 step great grandchildren.

Ralph is preceded in death by his brother Elmer and his sister Violet.

A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on November 22, 2025, at New Horizons Foursquare Church, 641 Horizon Drive, Grand Junction, Colorado. In lieu of flowers please donate to HopeWest Hospice at HopewestCO.org, or New Horizons Four Square Church missions at NHGJ.org.