Ralph Anton Harju Jr.

Ralph Harju, Jr. was born in Brooklyn, NY, on July 17,1946 to Ralph Harju, Sr. and Virginia Adams Harju. He passed into the arms of his heavenly Father and Lord, Jesus Christ, on March 5, 2025 in Richardson after succumbing to lymphoma.

Ralph had an adventurous life as the son of a military family. His father served in the U.S. Air Force and the family moved multiple times – from Washington State to Japan to Germany and finally back to Ft. Worth, TX when his father retired. Ralph attended schools in the various places he lived and graduated from Castleberry High School in 1964. He went to UTA in Arlington, TX until he was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1969. Ralph served in Viet Nam and earned 2 Purple Heart medals and was honorably discharged in 1970. He returned to UTA to finish his degree in 1974 where he earned his BBA in Management.

In 1973 he had a blind date with a mutual friend’s acquaintance named Diane Cleary. Little did he know, she would become his wife for the next 50 years. Diane and Ralph married in 1974 in Dallas, TX and made this home in Richardson, TX. They welcomed three children, Wendy, Thomas and Susan in the coming years. He worked as an insurance agent until he retired in 2012.

All his life, Ralph loved music and sports. His favorites were the songs of the 50’s-60’s and 70’s. Classic movies were also among the things he loved. Baseball and football were also activities he enjoyed watching. He rooted for the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Rangers. He had a passion for grilling and cooking. He cooked the best grilled steaks, chops and BBQ chicken.

Ralph was a loving father, grandfather (Poppop) and friend to all who knew him. He is survived by his wife, Diane, his children and their spouses, Wendy Minton (Adam), Thomas Harju (Lindsay), and Susan Harju; his sister Elizabeth Heitner (Emil), sister Christine Harju (partner Ann-Marie Kyes) and Randy Harju, grandchildren Alexandra Minton and Karissa Minton and grandson Rhett Harju, niece Julia Heitner and nephew Daniel Heitner.

The family would like to thank the staff and administration at Lindan Park Care Center and Amaya Hospice Care for their care and concern for Ralph and our family during his last weeks.

Ralph was a Christ follower and was a member of the Heights Church in Richardson, TX. A memorial service will be held for him on Monday, March 24 at 10 a.m. in the chapel. A private burial will be at the DFW National Cemetery in Dallas.