Donald Ralston

Donald Grant Ralston, 87 years old, of San Antonio, Texas, passed away on 5/31/14 Don Ralston was born in Holdrege, Nebraska, on February 28,1927. He was the only child of Elliotte Boston Ralston and Eunice (Woogerd) Ralston. He lived in Orleans, Nebraska during his early years. They moved to Jamestown, Colorado in 1935 where Elliotte was working in the hard rock mines, mining gold, fluorspar and later, tungsten. Don went to school in Jamestown, Colorado a one room school house; he was the only one in his class. He graduated high school from Boulder High where he and his family had moved from Jamestown. He continued his education after serving in the Navy during World War II using the GI bill to receive a BA in Education from the University of Colorado at Boulder, Colorado. Don was married to Donna Tomlin on August 12, 1948. They had two children, Steve and Denise. Don worked as a teacher for most of his career, teaching in Wyoming and California. He came to San Mateo, California in the mid 1950's to teach at the then new, Hillsdale High school. He taught English and drama for many years and was active in directing dozens of student plays and many community plays. The newly renovated theater at Hillsdale High school was dedicated to him and the years of service he gave to the school and drama department. He also directed plays during a sabbatical to Ireland where he studied Irish drama and guest directed in Dublin. He enjoyed reading, fly fishing and gardening in his spare time. Don was honored in a ceremony given by the town of Jamestown, Colorado for chronicling his life and the experience of attending a one room school in the early mining days of the town. His ability to recall very detailed memories allowed him to capture the essence of his years growing up in Nebraska and the remote Colorado mining community where he spent his childhood. He has compiled those memories in treasured narrative history titled The Golden Cycle. Don is survived by Donna his wife, Steve and Kari Ralston, Denise Elliott, grandchildren Josh and Kelli Ralston and family, Jami and Austin Miller and family, Jessi and Gary Reid and family and Clare and Thomas Hill and family, and six great grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by the friends and family that have known him.