Ralph Richard Poston Sr.

POSTON, RALPH RICHARD, SR., passed away on Friday, March 20, 2009. Ralph was a native Miamian, born January 02, 1923, to parents, Richard Rockwell Poston and Mary Emma Washburn Poston. He survived his 12 half- brothers and half-sisters, and sister Ruth Poston Stasko. While at Andrew Jackson High School, he delivered newspapers, and lettered in sports; swimming, golf, track, basketball and football. Upon graduation, he married his classmate, Carolyn Sue Davis. They were married in Allapattah Methodist Church, and remained married 66 years, until Carolyn's passing. Ralph enlisted in the U.S. Navy in WWII following the attack on Pearl Harbor. He and future business partner, Roger E. Kopplow, were stationed at Port Everglades. Poston served as Machinist First Class on a submarine- tender, the "USS Euraile", deployed to the South Pacific. He attended the University of Houston. He was a member of the local Ironworkers Union, and worked as an ironworker, until a man in his Church encouraged him to start his own business and loaned him $500, as seed money. Poston Steel Company was the steel construction business he began. In 1950, the name changed to Poston Bridge & Iron, Inc., when the company bought out Florida Bridge & Iron from Ralph Boardman, while Boardman's company was working on the 36th Street bridge across the Miami River. As company President, he was a significant contributor towards the post-war boom of South Florida. His company was involved in building many high profile construction projects for over 30 years, including the Americana, Eden Rock, DuPont Plaza, Burdines, the South Beach Pier, Turkey Point, the Port and the downtown Federal Building. He was also elected the 2nd President of the National Steel Erectors Association, 1970-71. Poston was passionate about teaching, as well as building. With Carolyn as his Graduate Assistant, he was an Instructor of the Dale Carnegie Course for more than 25 years. He took great pride in the accomplishments of his students. He served in the Florida House of Representatives and Senate over a 14 year period. He was leader of the Dade Legislative Delegation; and Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee. Poston was appointed to the National Highway Safety & Advisory Committee, and Dade County Citizens Safety Council. He was a member of Business, Inc. and a Mason from South Miami Lodge No. 328. He was also active in the Downtown Kiwanis Club, the local Lions Club and International Association of Lions Clubs, 1950; a member of the National Society of The Sons of the American Revolution; and served on numerous Dade County Blue Ribbon Panels, as well as on Boards of Directors in Miami, including those of SunBank, Goodwill Industries of Miami, and Epworth Village. He was an active member of the Kendall United Methodist Church in Greater Miami, where he was Chairman of the Building Campaign, President of the Methodist Men and taught an Adult Sunday School class; and later sang in the choir of the Cruso United Methodist Church in North Carolina. The Postons were residents of Pinecrest, Tallahassee and Waynesville, North Carolina. Poston is survived by his three devoted children; his son, Ralph Richard (Rick) Poston, Jr. and his wife, Toshiko, of Kendall; daughter Dorothy (Dottye) Susan Poston Barrier and husband, Jerry L. Barrier of Albemarle, North Carolina; and daughter Sheryl (Sherry) Lynne Poston Jordan and husband, Harry L. Jordan of Coral Gables; his grandchildren, Lisa Lynne P oston, Jennifer Lynne Barrier Isaman, Mindi Suzanne Poston Gay, and Michael David Barrier; and seven great-grandchildren. The family wishes to express special gratitude to their father's loyal attendant, Lazara Lizarazo. Also, to Patricia de Varona, Christina Ramirez, and the rest of the staff at The Palace Royale, for their ongoing dedication to Ralph's well-being, while he was in their care. Even to the peaceful end of his 86 years, he loved life and was a joy to those who knew him. On Saturday, April 18th, a private Burial will take place at Woodlawn Park South Cemetery. A Celebration of Life service, will be held at 12:00 noon in the Sanctuary of Kendall United Methodist Church, 7600 SW 104th St., Miami. Visitation with the family and a light lunch will be provided following the service in The Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ralph Poston's memory can be made to Goodwill Industries of South Florida, Inc., 2121 NW 21st St., Miami, FL 33126; Kendall United Methodist Church, 7600 SW 104th St., Miami, FL 33156; Cruso United Methodist Church, 11653 Cruso Road, Canton, NC 28716; or South Florida Urban Ministries, 2850 SW 27th Ave., Miami, FL 33133. VAN ORSDEL - KENDALL DRIVE 11220 Kendall Dr 305-279-6644 Family Owned Since 1924 www.vanorsdelfuneralchapels.com To visit this Guest Book Online, go to www.MiamiHerald.com/obituaries.