Ralph Lee Autry Jr.

Ralph was born on September 6, 1945 in Denver, CO to Opal and Ralph, Sr. He was the second of three children, but he would lovingly refer to it as “the rose between two thorns.” His parents tried to keep him on the “straight and narrow” and raised him in church, where he met his future bride, Susie. His childhood was exciting and full of stories! As he grew, the stories tamed some and he focused on his future. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1963. He served his basic training at the Naval Station Great Lakes. In January 1966, he and Susie got married and officially started their lives together, even though they had known each other since he was 10! He got stationed in Corpus Christi, TX in February and off they went! About nine months later, Ralph was sent to the Gulf of Tonkin aboard the USS Coral Sea. Aboard the ship, he became a Navy corpsman, aided in Sea Air Rescue (SAR) and attended the pharmacy technic school to become a pharmacist mate. He returned home in October 1967 and was stationed at the Naval Air Station Alameda. Shortly after, he was discharged and moved to Southern California where he attended Glendale Junior College. In 1970, he enrolled in USC School of Pharmacy- this is where his love of USC began. At USC he was part of Rho Pi Phi and was the only student to be nominated President of a professional pharmacy association in the San Fernando Valley. Once he graduated, he worked in numerous pharmacies throughout Los Angeles, one of which was where he also gained his love of horse racing. In 1975, he and Susie welcomed their first-born daughter, Erin. In 1979, he got a job at Lido Pharmacy in Newport Beach, CA. He and Susie bought a house in Irvine, that they have lived in ever since. In 1980, they welcomed their second daughter, Emily. They supported their girls throughout their childhood hobbies including musicals, choirs, dancing and cheerleading. All of this was wonderful, but nothing made them happier than when they became grandparents! Stella came into their lives when Emily met Curtis in 2009. Then in 2012, Presley arrived. In 2015, Kingston was born. They never knew love like they did then. They loved spending time with them- they had sleepovers, they went to school performances and basketball games. Ralph retired in 2016 and enjoyed trips to Israel, that he deemed life changing. He and Susie kept busy with church, life groups, bible studies, friends and family. Ralph’s life was well lived.

Ralph is survived by his wife of 57 years, Susie, his two daughters, Erin and Emily, his son-in-law Curtis, his beloved grandchildren, Stella, Presley and Kingston. He is also survived by his sister, Twila. Ralph was predeceased by his parents, Opal and Ralph, Sr and his sister, Barbara

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Center for Global Ministries in Ralph’s name.

www.centerforglobalministries.org

Center for Global Ministries PO Box 864435 Plano, TX 75086-4435

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pacificviewcalifornia.com for the Autry family.