James Ralph Etheridge Jr., 58, died Thursday, April 24, 2014, at home. He was a history teacher at Liberty County High School.
Born April 10, 1956, in Nuremberg, Germany, to LTC James Ralph Etheridge Sr., and Flora F. Etheridge, Ralph was an Army brat and lived in Germany, Georgia, Washington, Kansas and California while growing up. He was an Eagle Scout and a graduate of the University of Georgia (BA in History), Columbus College (MED) and Georgia Southern University (EDS).
He spent his adult life as an educator in Liberty County, teaching at Hinesville Middle School and Liberty County High School for a combined 33 years. He was a Liberty County Teacher of the Year and was also selected as a STAR Teacher. For the past 15 years, he had taught college classes at night and on weekends for Central Texas College, Columbia College, and Brewton-Parker College. His favorite quote was from Winston Churchill: "Never, never, never five up."
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his brother, Michael Ray Etheridge of Liberty County; uncle and aunt, Ray and Dot Etheridge of Coopers, Ga.; uncle, Wilbur Roberts of Marrietta; and several cousins.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, April 28, at Carter Funeral Home Oglethorpe Chapel. Graveside services will at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday in Westview Cemetery in Milledgeville.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the American Diabetes Association, Alzheimer's Foundation of America, or Coopers Baptist Church in Coopers.
Carter Funeral Home Oglethorpe Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.carteroglethorpe.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Coastal Courier from Apr. 26 to May 3, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for James Etheridge

Sponsored by Mike Etheridge (Brother).

48 Entries

Lona Garrison

April 21, 2020

Love and miss you dearly.

Lona Garrison

April 21, 2020

I can't believe you've been gone for six years now. However, that absence is merely physical; you live on in all the hearts you touched over the years. We are just grateful and privileged that our 's were deeply touched and greatly loved.
Lona, Steve, Matt and Greg Garrison

Lona Garrison

April 23, 2019

I miss you more than words can say. We all love you dearly. Lona, Steve, Matt and Greg

Barry Duke

June 1, 2014

i knew Ralph from church while growing up. He had a very kind spirit about him. I wish his brother, Michael God' grace and peace.

DeVarra LeSane

May 9, 2014

I had two of Mr. Etheridge's history classes at CTC (on Saturday of course...lol) I was always amazed at how much knowledge he had it was as though he was there to witness history in the making. He was a great teacher & his passing has left a HUGE mark on the many students who knew him - RIP

DeVarra LeSane

May 9, 2014

I had two of Mr. Etheridge's history classes while attending CTC. (on Saturday of course..lol) I was always amazed at how much knowledge he had it was as though he was there to witness it all. He was always very passionate about teaching and never said an unkind word. His passing has left a HUGE mark on the many students his presence made.

May 2, 2014

RIP Mr. Etheridge I was shock when I heard the news that you pass away. You was a great government teacher when you taught me in my 12 grade. Also you was a great teacher for my daughter.

Tammie Carter

May 1, 2014

To the family of Mr. E

He will be missed greatly, he taught both me and my son (Shy). He was a great teacher to both of us.

Tammy-Anderson Gibbs

April 30, 2014

RIP. Mr Etheridge you were an amazing history teacher, I was in your history class back in the 90's at Liberty County High, you will be missed.

Marlene Woods

April 29, 2014

RIP Mr.E

Christina Smith

April 29, 2014

I send my deepest sympathy to the family of Mr. Etheridge. He Was One of my favorite teachers in school and he always made me laugh and told me i was very smart and pretty and stay away from these little bad boys.lol he will truly be missed.

Teresa James

April 29, 2014

My deepest sympathy to the family. Mr. Etheridge was an outstanding teacher, one of the best. My daughter Emily loved him. He was a great inspiration for her. He was her favorite teacher. We lost our Emily Aug 12, 2003 just a few weeks into her senior year, I know she met him in heaven with open arms. He was a very remarkable man and will be truly missed. Sicerely,

Hannah E Cunningham

April 29, 2014

Mr. Etheridge you always encouraged me to do great things with my life when you were my AP History teacher at Liberty, and I will always cherish those words of encouragement. You were a great teacher and a Friend. I will miss you so much, your great wisdom truly touched my life. Rest in Peace.

Mike Alamo

April 28, 2014

I am so saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. Etheridge. Its been almost 20 years since I passed through his classroom at Hinesville Middle. His love of history really helped to shape my own, and has grown into a life-long love of books, documentaries, and travel. I still have fond memories of staying after class to discuss the Cold War, and World War II with him.

My condolences to the family, and to all those future students who may never get to know such a wonderful educator.

Mike Feehan

April 28, 2014

I just today learned of Ralph's passing and was greatly sorrowed. Ralph and I were best friends at Baker High School until I had to move away to New Jersey for my senior year. We both played trumpet in the band, and had many misadventures together after school, as we only lived a few blocks from each other. We lost contact when we went on to separate colleges, and then I went on to a 30-year military career. He was a good friend and a great guy. Rest in Peace, Ralph, and my sincerest, heartfelt condolences to the family.

Tom Stafford

April 28, 2014

I had the privilege of knowing Ralph since I met Mike in JROTC at Baker High. Ralph was kind'a like a big brother to me also. I still have memories of us hiking the Appalachian Trail as teenagers. This is too soon. He will be missed.

Jennifer Selby

April 28, 2014

Rest in Peace Mr. E! Prayers for family and friends.

Barbara McCall

April 28, 2014

Mike, I'm sorry to hear about the death of Ralph. He must have been a wonderful person. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Nakiea Smiley-Ellington

April 27, 2014

Rip Mr.Etheridge. You will truly be missed. I remember when you used to always catch me in the hallway at school. Saying Smiley get to class now. Lol....and I always used to laugh. He was such a great Teacher and he loved his students. My prayers are with his family as well as The Liberty County School System.

Alice Kernan

April 27, 2014

Thank you again for the legacy of confidence, a passion to teach and to learn, your candid delivery of valuable knowledge and a raw, brilliant sense of humor that made everything about History make sense. You truly are a Master of Education. Much love to you, your memory and everyone through which your spirit lives on.

"A!"

Misty Clabough

April 27, 2014

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family....R.I.P Mr.E....

Will Woods

April 27, 2014

Mr. Ralph Etheridge was one of the most passionate teachers I've had in my life. From 1994 to 1996 he would push me to be my best. He believed in tough love and 0 tolerance for excuses. His contributions are unmeasurable due to the positive impact he made with his students. He will be greatly missed. My deepest condolences to his family.

Jeff DeLoach

April 27, 2014

I am so sorry to learn of this loss. Ralph Etheridge loved his students and was passionate about teaching history. He expected hard work, but also knew learning is supposed to be fun. I was fortunate to have him all four years of high school. As a result, I was as well-prepared as any student taking freshman Western Civilization at Furman University. He was also proud of his students' accomplishments and expressed that when given the opportunity. He will be greatly missed! While he was one of a kind, I hope my children will have a "Ralph Etheridge" in their academic career. The family is in my prayers.

Beth Bakey

April 27, 2014

Mike: you know that Ralph and I shared many stories and laughs during Meg's high school years at Liberty, and at the Army Ed Center when we were both teaching there. One of my favorite memories is of the time Meg had ASD at a Liberty (her one and only referral in 14 years of school), and although Ralph had never met her, he recognized the name and asked her what she had done. After she told him, his response was, "NEVER put it in writing!" It put Meg at ease, and made her a member of the Ralph Etheridge Fan Club. He was a great support to me when Bakey passed away. I know that it is difficult right now, but you have many many years' worth of wonderful memories. I hope that you will be able to rely on those in the coming weeks. He and Bakey are swapping teaching stories in Heaven, I am sure.

Gerren Shorter

April 27, 2014

Im sorry to find out about Mr. Etheridge's passing cause I was actually try to locate him today and this is this first thing that came up on his name. (Sad) My condolences to the family. Mr. Etheridge t was an excellent and inspiring educator and I was attempting to contact him to let him know that. Mr. Ralph Etheridge made a difference in my life. 8th grade Ga History at Hinesville Middle School Rest in peace big man.RIP..

Farrell Hough

April 27, 2014

Mr. Etheridge was great. I was so sad to see this. Rest in peace.. Farrell (Dessert) Hough

Eureca perez. ( Williams)

April 27, 2014

Mr.E. you was a outstanding us history teacher you will be missed.

Mary Morgan Evans

April 27, 2014

Mr. Etheridge will be greatly missed. He was a tough teacher, but he always believed in us and pushed us to live up to our potential.

Loretta Lee

April 27, 2014

Mr. Etheridge taught me GA History back in 89-90 at HMS. He was an outstanding teacher, and I am very sorry to hear of his passing. My deepest condolences go to his family.

Shannon Decker (coyle)

April 27, 2014

Such a sad day. I had Mr. Etheridge for 8th grade Ga history class. He was tough on me when I slacked but I learned alot. Sending thoughts and prayers to the family.

Judi Golden Bixler

April 27, 2014

I had the privilege of having Ralph as a friend in high school at Baker in Columbus, Ga. He was truly a friend you could have fun with, depend on, and laugh with and learn from . BHS has lost a great Lion. You will be missed
Mike, my condolences to you.

CHERRY HOWARD

April 27, 2014

MR ETHERIDGE WILL BE MISS HE WAS A WONDERFUL TEACHER PRAYING FOR THE FAMILY

Donna McCall

April 27, 2014

Mike,
I am so sorry to hear the news. Even though I never met Ralph, I feel like I knew him through you and your wonderful stories. My heart goes out to you and your family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

April 27, 2014

My condolence to the Etheridge Family. May the God of all comfort sustain you as you cope with the loss of your loved one.
-Catherine

Maria Lewis

April 27, 2014

You will be missed Mr. Etheridge. You were a great teacher with an awesome personality. You are in my top favorite of my teachers from high school. May you rest in peace ?

Teresa Ring Manning

April 27, 2014

WOW..What a loss. I had Mr. Etheridge in the 8th grade at Hinesville Middle. He was s great teacher and will be missed.

Shelia Hunt

April 26, 2014

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Jane Grimes Friess

April 26, 2014

Ralphie was one of the most intelligent men I'll ever know. It was a privilege to be included as one of his friends. I remember his classroom was one corridor up from mine at Hinesville Middle School. He would always have a cheering word of encouragement every morning like; smile Jane or it's not going to kill you to have a nice day. He was always trying to lighten things up and made coming to work actually fun! I will miss him dearly. To know he is with a lot of other great people makes this a little easier. Michael may you find some comfort in all of your special memories that you and Ralph shared.
Any of you that were lucky enough to have Mr. Etheridge as a teacher or professor should cherish his every word.
God Bless you, Ralphe! With Deepest Sympathy......Jane Grimes Friess

John Mosely

April 26, 2014

I was so sorry to hear about Ralph's passing. Ralph and I worked together at Hinesville Middle School. I was the Assistant Principal at Hinesville Middle School when Ralph started his educational career. Ralph was an outstanding History teacher and he always set a wonderful example for his students, his co-workers and the community. It was an honor and a privilege to have worked with Ralph. My heart goes out to his family.

Sheryl White

April 26, 2014

Mr. Etheridge taught two of my daughters at the High School Level and my at the College Level. Remarkable teacher who LOVED history, he will be missed.
Peace and blessings to his family, "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord".

Charzetta Quarterman

April 26, 2014

Mr. Etheridge was one of my favorite teachers at Liberty County High School. I always loved his class. I remember always coming down the 500 hallway and making sure I walked in the class that my uniform was in check. He was a strict teacher but we learned and most of us came out of his class with As. He was a great teacher and will surely be missed by all of his students.

Elsa Julio Baltazar

April 26, 2014

I'm sorry for the loss of this amazing person, I can't imagine what his family may be going through. I know that Mr. Etheridge will be truly missed. He was sincerely outstanding, not just as a great teacher and coworker, but also an amazing and an understanding person who cared for his students. Having him for a teacher during my junior and senior year was an honor. I know he made a tremendous difference influencing his students' life as he did on mine. I had three high school teachers that had a great impact in my life and Mr. Etheridge was one of them. He was always an understanding mentor, encouraging me to succeed. Even when I got in trouble he was understanding and for that I'm forever thankful.

Joseph Woods

April 26, 2014

I had the fantastic opportunity to take Mr. Etheridge's classes while attending LCHS. I remember him as a great teacher and exceedingly knowledgeable. He was the only teacher from high school that I maintained contact with in adulthood. Condolences to Mr. Etheridge's family.

Helen Barrett

April 26, 2014

Ralph was an amazing man, and all who had the privilege of knowing him benefitted from the experience. He gave so much to the school and the community. Ralph Ethridge broke the mold--there will never be another like him.

Lona Garrison

April 26, 2014

Our dear friend, Ralphie, added so much laughter and joy to our lives. He was an excellent teacher and wonderful coworker who truly cared about his students. Our years with him, in school and out, were filled with love and laughter. We will miss him greatly. Goodbye, Uncle Ralphie!

Steven, Lona, Matt and greg Garrison, Atlanta