Mr. Ralph Compton

RALPH THOMAS COMPTON, 50, of Louisville, died Thursday, December 17, 2009, after a valiant battle with cancer.

A lifelong Kentuckian, born in Harrodsburg, he spent his teen years in Carrollton before coming to Louisville to earn an accounting degree from Sullivan University. He enjoyed a successful career as an accountant, controller and manager, most recently for Progress Rail Services, a Caterpillar company.

He is survived by his loving and beloved wife, Karen Lee Compton; adored daughter Kimberly; his mother, Mable Thomas Pryor Compton of Louisville; five siblings, Patricia Matsunaga (Jim) of Indianapolis, IN, Michael Compton of Salvisa, KY, and Sue Bryant (Ellis), Rita Blandford (Cletus) and Denise Cripe (Richard), all of Louisville; his mother-in-law Faye Lee and sister-in-law La Donna (Michael) Maffenbeier of Jasper, IN; as well as numerous cherished nieces, nephews, great nephews, other family, dear friends and colleagues. He was preceded in death by his father, James Bernard Compton of Louisville, and his father-in-law Frank E. Lee of Jasper.

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., on Sunday at Arch L. Heady at Resthaven, 4400 Bardstown Road. His funeral service will be held at St. Gabriel the Archangel, 5505 Bardstown Road, at 10:00 a.m. on Monday with burial following at Resthaven Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.