Ralph DePew

1925 - 2019

Ralph DePew

Sweetwater, TN

Depew, Ralph, of Sweetwater, passed away 11 P.M. Monday, January 7, 2019 at his home. Ralph was born to Ralph Stuart DePew, Sr. and Nancy Alma Brumit DePew in Elizabethton Tennessee on August 29, 1925. He grew up helping run the family dairy farm that supplied the town with milk and sustained his parents, brother, and six sisters. He was known as "RS" or "the Judge" (for his serious countenance) to his family and friends. He did well in school and found a lifetime joy of playing music when he joined his high school band and learned to play the baritone and trombone.

Ralph continued to run the dairy farm through WW II and attended UT Knoxville from 1947-1951 where he met his wife of 67 years, Marilyn Means DePew. He was UT band captain for the 1950 season that culminated in a Cotton Bowl victory over Texas and a national championship. Ralph and Marilyn wed in 1951 and a few months later he joined the Navy in 1952. In his 2 years in the Navy he made LTJG and was a legal officer assigned to the USS General H. W. Butner. He made 22 round trips across the Atlantic between New York City and Bremerhaven, Germany.

After fulfilling his service obligation in 1954 he returned to Tennessee where he and Marilyn raised their four children in Monroe County. Ralph had a dairy farm and taught school. He was principal of Madisonville Jr High until 1975 and of Sweetwater High from 1975 until his retirement in 1987. He was an active choir member in First United Methodist Church from 1957 on. He eagerly attended Kiwanis at every opportunity and was a local leader for habitat for humanity. He loved horses and rode as often as his responsibilities allowed.

The world has lost a great man. But there is hope and peace in knowing that he was greeted by lots of loving family, anticipating his return. But the greater joy is knowing that he was embraced with open arms by a Heavenly Father that surely said "well done my son". Ralph lived his life based on God, family, community, hard work, and integrity. He was a great man.

He is survived by wife Marilyn Means DePew, daughters Leslie DePew and husband Ira Salemo, Paula Cooper and

husband Brenton, Amy Wolz and husband Denny, son Eric DePew, sisters Charlotte Ann Boza and Gena Ruth Carter. Preceded in death by his parents Ralph Stuart DePew, Sr. and Nancy Alma Brumit DePew, brother Winston Leon "W.L." DePew, and sisters Dorothy Alma Kelly, Virginia Jane Seal, Carol Louise Cooke, and Cecilia Ray Morrell.

A Celebration of Life service will be 3 P.M. Sunday, January 13, Madisonville First United Methodist Church, Pastor Keith Knight officiating. The interment service to follow. The church will provide an early supper for family and friends following the services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Boys and Girls Club of Madisonville, First United Methodist Church of Madisonville, or the Alzheimer's Association. Family will receive friends 1-3 P.M. Sunday at Madisonville First United Methodist Church. Arrangements by Biereley-Hale Funeral Home, Madisonville.