Ralph Quentin Sandall

Ralph Quentin Sandall was born on April 26, 1929 at home near Bassett, Rock County, Nebraska, the fifth and last child of Fred O. and Edith M. (Larson) Sandall. He lived the first ten years of his life in Rock and York counties (Nebraska) before moving to Colorado with his family. He graduated from Loveland High School in 1947 and received a scholarship to the Colorado School of Mines. After completing his second year of college, he was stricken with the polio virus in 1949 and spent 2 years recovering. He returned to school and earned his B.S. degree in 1953 as a Chemical Engineer. While he recovered enough to lead a normal life, he did walk with a limp. Ralph hoped that if he was able to give a person some help along the way, that person would remember him as a guy with a lamp, not a limp.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, brother Charles Sandall and his wife Carol Mae Shaw, his sisters Ardell Otte and her husband, Ted Otte, and Verda Draggoo and her husband Varde Draggoo and brother-in-law Melvin Livengood. He is survived by his loving and caring wife Marcia June (Marcie) Larsen Sandall, daughter Karen Murphey Sandall, daughter Miriam Lee (Mimi) Fleming and her husband Phil Fleming and son Steven Ross Sandall and his wife Cynthia Carmel Sandall. He is also survived by

grandchildren Corwin Valentine, Cody Maines, Blake Sandall and wife Lindsey Allen Sandall, Caroline Sandall, Nicholas Fleming, Victoria Fleming, Melissa Fleming and great-grandchild Reaux Maines. He is also survived by his sister Carol Livengood, and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Ralph began his 30 year career with Shell in Antioch, California where he met his future wife, Marcia June (Marcie) Larsen Murphey at a church singles group. They were married on October 6, 1957 and Ralph became the loving father of Marcia’s daughter, Karen Joan, age 2 ½. Later he fulfilled his desire to adopt her. Karen became a sister when Miriam Lee was born and again when Steven Ross was born. Ralph always said the best day of his life was when Marcie became his bride, a role she lovingly maintained for almost 66 years. Together they shared the joys and challenges of parenthood for Karen, Miriam and Steve. The family moved several times because of transfers by his company (Shell). They lived in California, New Jersey, and Texas.

Ralph’s greatest passion in life was always his family. This included family in his growing up years, Marcie and their immediate family, his large extended family and the church family wherever they lived. Ralph lived his passion every day of his life. He served on various church councils, sang in church choirs and served on the Lutherhill Board of Directors. He was the manager of his son, Steve’s, Little League teams and served as President of the Meyerland Little League. And he was an avid Houston Astros fan! He was a member of Toastmasters where he honed his public speaking skills.

After retiring from Shell, Ralph and Marcie built their retirement home on the east shoreline of Lake Conroe where they hosted countless holidays and family visits. Ralph’s grandchildren have fond memories of skiing on the lake, fishing off the dock, creating imaginative YouTube videos and the Great Potato Dig every fall. Ralph was a Montgomery County Master Gardener and used the knowledge he obtained to grow vegetables for the local food bank. It was a happy 18 years of retirement that enabled him to return to his farming roots while enjoying his riding lawn mower. As a lifelong learner, Ralph became a certified H&R Block Tax Preparer for several years. By far, Ralph's greatest retirement undertaking was the 2 years he spent researching and publishing the Sandahl/Sandall Family Tree genealogy book in 2008. (Copies are still available for the asking!) He was motivated to create the family tree book after attending numerous annual Sandall family reunions.

Another move was necessary when Ralph’s polio-caused weakening muscles required downsizing to a smaller house. They moved north to Coppell in 2009 and settled 2 miles from Mimi and Phil’s house. As his mobility declined, Ralph continued to stay socially and mentally active with activities at Rejoice Lutheran Church, computer projects, crossword puzzles, and many letters to family passing on the pearls of his wisdom.

To know Ralph was to know a kind hearted man who lived his faith. He was always eager to help those in need. Through his actions, he also demonstrated the commitment and priority he placed on being a loving husband and active father. Ralph’s strong faith in Jesus as his Lord and Savior enabled him to love life with his family, faith, work and other interests that God gave him while also serving as a role model for others in that same regard.. Ralph will be greatly missed by so many but will live forever in our hearts.

A memorial service celebrating Ralph’s life will be held on October 8, 2023 at 2:00pm at Rejoice Lutheran Church, 532 E Sandy Lake Rd., Coppell,TX 75019. If you feel compelled to make a donation, Ralph’s family kindly asks that you consider the Lutheran World Relief: https://lwr.org/