Ralph H. Barksdale

Ralph Barksdale-Merritt Island-Ralph Hayes Barksdale, 82, born September 28, 1927 in Danville, VA, passed away Saturday, July 31, 2010 at The Hospice Center located at Wuesthoff Memorial Hospital in Rockledge. His resume of achievements include service in the U.S. Navy, receiving his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Virginia Polytechnical Institute, and working in several capacities for a variety of companies. In 1957, Ralph relocated to Brevard County in Florida to pursue a career in Electrical Engineering with Boeing Air craft. He was later employed by Florida Power and Light and worked in the Miami area. Eventually, Ralph returned to the Brevard County area to work with Douglas Aircraft. In 1963, he accepted a position with NASA, a con tinuation of a 46 year ca reer in Aerospace Electrical Engineering that concluded with his retirement in 2003. Ralph is survived by his wife, Dorothy W. Barksdale of Merritt Island; two daughters, Tamra B. Watson and husband Dempsey of Rocky Mount, NC and Tanya Marie Bears of Mer ritt Island; two grandchil dren, Daniel Anthony Bears and Jonathan Taylor Bears of Merritt Island; one broth er, Conrad W. Barksdale of Newport News, VA; one niece, Cindy Moore and husband Mark of Danville, VA; two nephews, Lindey Moye of Danville, VA and Rodney Hubbard of Stanley, NC; two great neph ews, Jason Moore of Danville, VA and Adam Moore of Danville, VA. Ralph was predeceased by one brother, Nelson Barks dale of Danville, VA and two sisters, Louise Moye of Danville, VA and Edna Hubbard of Stanley, NC. Funeral arrangements have been made through Wylie-Baxley Funeral Home in Merritt Island, FL. Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at the funeral home. Donations may be made to Wuesthoff Hospice. Please visit our website at www.wyliebaxleymerrittisland.com.