Ralph H. Dockter

Ralph H. Dockter, 83, of Vancouver, Washington, passed away Saturday, March 21, 2015, at his home. He was born November 15, 1931, on the Dockter family farm in the Granville Township of Sheridan County, North Dakota, to August and Marie Dockter.

Ralph attended Warner Pacific College (formerly Pacific Bible College), where he received his Bachelor’s degree. While there, he met the love of his life, Doris. They were married August 30, 1952, in Edmonds, Washington. After college, Ralph worked as the director of Christian Education at Woodstock Church of God in Portland. He became an ordained minister with the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana) at the Middleton Campmeeting of the Churches of God of Southern Idaho. He spent 50 years serving in various ministerial positions. Sometimes the salary was enough to feed the family and sometimes it wasn’t. When it wasn’t enough, he worked many odd jobs to keep food on the table.

Ralph had the soul of a farmer his whole life, even when he didn’t live on a farm. He enjoyed all things manly. If it was dangerous or dirty, he liked doing it. He especially enjoyed woodworking and repairing things. Until he was big enough to work out in the fields, his mother kept him cooking in the kitchen. This fostered Ralph’s love of cooking.

Ralph is survived by his loving wife, Doris; daughter Karen (Bill) Cardin and sons Michael (Cathy) Dockter and Brian (Sheryl) Dockter; grandchildren Alexander Cardin, Karlena Brailey, Amanda Cardin, Rebekka Ramirez, Annetta Cardin, Chris Dockter, Aaron Dockter, Robert Dockter, Philip Dockter and Kristina Dockter; brothers Roy Dockter, Erwin Dockter, Herbert Dockter and Clifford Dockter; sisters Marjorie Chandler, Delores Bohlender, Betty Larson and Marion Killian; and fourteen great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents August and Marie, and brothers Rueben Dockter and Clarence Dockter.

Viewing for Ralph will be held 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Friday, March 27th at the Vancouver Funeral Chapel. A family graveside service will take place at 12:00 noon, Monday, March 30th at Floral Hills Cemetery, 409 Filbert Rd., Lynnwood, Washington 98036. A memorial service will be held in Vancouver at 4:00 pm, Tuesday, March 31st at Vancouver First Church of God.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations designated for the furthering of the Gospel of Christ may be made to:

Warner Pacific College

2219 SE 68th Ave.

Portland, OR 97215

Vancouver First Church of God

3300 NE 78th St

Vancouver, WA 98665

Edmonds Church of God

8824 220th SW

Edmonds, WA 98026

Church of God Ministries

PO Box 2420

Anderson, IN 46018