Born on March 15, 1986, in Alexandria, VA, James soon moved with his family to Chattanooga, TN. He graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2008 with a degree in computer science and pursued a career as a software engineer. James met the love of his life, Shannon Spickard, while attending college. They were married on December 7, 2013, in Chattanooga, TN, and celebrated the birth of their son Andrew William Ralph on December 25, 2017.
James was a husband, father, son, brother, cousin, nephew, friend, and colleague who deeply loved and was beloved by his family and friends. Cheering on his favorite basketball team while enjoying a craft beer was a favorite pastime. An outdoor enthusiast, James enjoyed mountain biking, hiking, running, and spending time at the beach in Hawaii. But his greatest joy in life was being a husband and father.
James is survived by his son Andrew Ralph, his wife Shannon Ralph (Spickard), his parents Jill Benson Ralph and Robert W. Ralph, his brother Joshua R. Ralph, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Preceding James in death are in grandparents John W. Benson and Mary H. Benson and James D. Ralph and Margaret A. Ralph.
A celebration of life memorial will be held next month in Chattanooga, TN. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of James may be made to Andrew’s college fund, National Public Radio, or the National Park Foundation.
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