Obituary for Ralph G Peterson
Ralph Gregory Peterson, 87, a resident of Ennis, Texas, died on March 26, 2020. Ralph was born on April 18, 1932 in Zurich, Montana. His parents are John F. Peterson and Alta G. Russell Peterson. He was their 4th child. Four other children were born after Ralph. His younger years were spent on a farm. Later he learned carpentry working with his father and brothers. He was patriotic and very proud of his service as a young man in the National Guard. He married Ruth Bergstrom in 1950 and they moved to Fort Peck to work in construction for the government. He later worked in a retail store and in home construction. One daughter and 5 sons were born to them. Throughout his life he lived in Montana, No. Dakota, Utah, Colorado, Oregon, Nevada, and Texas.
He was skilled in every phase of home construction and taught it to his sons. His family was his great love, and music was the other. Together with his brothers he sang and played music since he was 14, at first playing chords on the piano with 2 fingers. He taught himself to play the piano and brought joy to everyone with his lively tunes. One of the highlights of the brother’s performing career was when they represented the Utah Country Music Association in 1974 at a barbecue at the White House for Jimmy Carter’s family and guests. Ralph will be remembered in his Levis and boots. He was a people-person, a guy who loved to talk and laugh, listen to music, keeping in touch with friends and family often on his trusty cellphone, he was upbeat and grateful for each day of life. He passed on that philosophy to anyone who would listen.
Ralph is the father of six, grandfather of 27, and great-grandfather to 48, with 3 more coming this year. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Evelyn, brothers Ross, Keith, and Jay. He is survived by brothers Lyle, Neal and sister, Genell, daughter Deanna, sons Greg, Darris, Steve, Kelly, and Dennis. He is loved and will be dearly missed by his brothers and sister, his children and their families, nieces and nephews, cousins, in-laws, and many friends.
Burial will be Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at the Waxahachie City Cemetery. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
Arrangements by Boze-Mitchell-McKibbin Funeral Home, 511 W. Main St., Waxahachie, TX 75165.
He was skilled in every phase of home construction and taught it to his sons. His family was his great love, and music was the other. Together with his brothers he sang and played music since he was 14, at first playing chords on the piano with 2 fingers. He taught himself to play the piano and brought joy to everyone with his lively tunes. One of the highlights of the brother’s performing career was when they represented the Utah Country Music Association in 1974 at a barbecue at the White House for Jimmy Carter’s family and guests. Ralph will be remembered in his Levis and boots. He was a people-person, a guy who loved to talk and laugh, listen to music, keeping in touch with friends and family often on his trusty cellphone, he was upbeat and grateful for each day of life. He passed on that philosophy to anyone who would listen.
Ralph is the father of six, grandfather of 27, and great-grandfather to 48, with 3 more coming this year. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Evelyn, brothers Ross, Keith, and Jay. He is survived by brothers Lyle, Neal and sister, Genell, daughter Deanna, sons Greg, Darris, Steve, Kelly, and Dennis. He is loved and will be dearly missed by his brothers and sister, his children and their families, nieces and nephews, cousins, in-laws, and many friends.
Burial will be Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at the Waxahachie City Cemetery. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
Arrangements by Boze-Mitchell-McKibbin Funeral Home, 511 W. Main St., Waxahachie, TX 75165.