Ralph’s early years were spent in and around southern New Mexico mostly in Otero, Sierra and Grant counties. He joined the Army in 1948 at the age of 17 and spent four years in Germany as part of the occupying force after WW2. After he was discharged in 1952, he came back to Grant county and worked at Santa Rita until he was laid off one too many times. He then emigrated to Australia in 1955 where he had many adventures and met his future wife Peggy, the young family returned to the US in 1960 once again settling in Grant county. Ralph went to work for Kennecott Copper Corp. in the smelter where he worked for the next 33 years retiring in 1993. He tried retirement for about 5 years but in his own words “I didn’t take to retirement very well “so in 1998 he moved to the Steeple U ranch in Beaverhead NM where he helped with ranch work but mostly prowled the mountains around the ranch. He loved being at the ranch and spending time with his dog “Spud “and his cat “Tux “but declining health forced him back to town in 2018. He raised a wonderful family that he was very proud of and in his many adventures he met some interesting characters and made many good friends.
He is survived by his loving wife, Peggy of the family home; his son, Martin Wright (Vicky) of Silver City; three daughters, Jennifer Huff (Jerry) of Silver City; Elizabeth Wright of Silver City; Margaret Hughes (Michael) of Globe, AZ; four grandchildren, Tisha Babineaux (Keith), Shawn Huff (Ashley), Wendy Huff, and Tiffany Madare; seven great-granchildren, Kaleigh Kelly (Shane), Ashley Horvath (Garrett), Taylor Huff (Kelsie), Tyler Huff, Catelynn Farer (Dominic), Darrean Marinsck (Matthew), and Nola Madara; four great-great grandchildren, Erin, Kynlee, Lyla, and Owen. He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, Anna Mae Waldie, Viadel Gosnell, and Mary Hunter.
A funeral service will be held Friday, January 8th at 11am at Calvary Chapel with Pastor Joseph Gros officiating. Concluding service and interment will take place at Fort Bayard National Cemetery with full military honors. His pallbearers will be his grandchildren and great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to The High Desert Humane Society or The New Mexico Boys and Girls Ranches.
Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels.