Ralph Wayne McClung

Ralph was born May 16, 1927 to Dorthea (Stone) and Farris McClung in Elkhart, KS. Ralph grew up during the depression working at his father’s drug store. In Hugoton, Kansas Ralph graduated valedictorian of his high school class. He served in the U.S. Navy at the end of WWII decommissioning ships out of San Francisco harbor.

Ralph attended the School of Pharmacy at the University of Kansas and promptly began his early career as a pharmacist in Dodge City, KS. It was here he met his wife Ann, a registered nurse. Ralph moved to Garden City, KS and opened McClung and Payne Pharmacy. Here he raised his six children, sponsored many softball and baseball teams and was an active member of the community.

In 1972 Ralph and Ann decided to move west. Ralph took a pharmacist position with the King Soopers grocery chain in Colorado. He settled his family in Longmont, Colorado where Ralph ultimately retired as manager of the local King Soopers Pharmacy.

Living the Colorado dream, Ralph and his family took up skiing and had many wonderful days on the slopes. Ralph skied into his seventies and actually suffered a minor leg break when he was 71.

With three grown sons in California, Ralph discovered the allure of the Napa Valley wine country and had many adventures there, exploring wineries and drinking cabernet.

His favorite activity was dancing his way through life with his lovely wife Ann. They were members of the local Elks club and shared many good times with friends and were always looking for a new dance floor somewhere. One of their favorite memories was having dinner with Les Brown – one of the big band leaders of the day.

Ralph and Ann traveled to Europe a few times and loved their experiences in Rome. They reflect on being blessed by the Pope in St. Peters. They traveled some, but their true dedication was to their family.

Ralph is probably most famous for his doing his civic duty as a juror on the Clutter murder trial. This was popularized by Truman Capote’s book “In Cold Blood”. When Hollywood returned to Garden City to film their version, Ralph actually sat on the jury in the movie.

Ralph is survived by his sister JoAnn and her husband Paul Flower of Oskaloosa, KS; his brother Robert and his wife Lila of Olive Branch, MS; son Robert Floyd of Denver, CO; son Steve Floyd and his sons Michael and Jeremy of Thousand Oaks, CA; son Tom McClung and his wife Sue and their children Brandon and Melissa of Colorado Springs, CO; daughter Louise and her husband Jack Amant and their daughter Katy of Longmont, CO; daughter Kathy and her husband Pat Shaw and their children P.J. and Elena of Cherry Hills, CO; son Dan McClung and his wife Jeanine and their children Brandi, David, Shane and Chase. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Ann in 2002.

Cremation has been entrusted to Howe Mortuary and Cremation Services.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, November 7, 2011 at the Howe Mortuary Chapel. Private inurnment will be held.

Contributions may be made in Ralph’s memory to the Longmont United Hospital Foundation, 1950 W. Mountain View Ave. Longmont, CO. 80501