Ralph Gilbert Ladd Jr.

Ladd Jr. Ralph Gilbert Ladd Jr. born July 29, 1930 in Haskell, Oklahoma passed away November 3, 2012 in Casper Wyoming, after a brief illness. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at Newcomer Funeral Home with a celebration of Ralph's life at Fire Rock from 3:30 to 5:30. Burial services will be held at a later date in Haskell, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you donate to the American Heart Association, PO BOX 841125, Dallas, TX 752841-1125 or Casper Humane Society, 849 East E Street, Casper, WY 82601. Dad was raised in Haskell, OK, where he enjoyed sports including football, basketball, baseball and even donkey basketball. His "pappy" introduced him to the oilfield on an old cable tool rig when he was 13 years old. He worked summers and after school on the rig where his mom was right there beside him dressing tool bits. Dad was in the Army and attended officer candidate school where he made many lifelong friends. He was drafted and went to Japan and was supposed to be shipped out to Korea, but thankfully the war ended. After the service he graduated from University of Oklahoma with a degree in petroleum engineering and began a lifelong career with Union Oil Company of California. After several years in Midland, TX and Oklahoma City, OK he was called into the Oklahoma City office and his boss asked him if he knew where Casper, WY was. He said no, and his boss replied that he was going to find out soon because that is where his paycheck would be. This was a good transfer for dad as he was able to really enjoy his favorite pastimes of hunting and fishing with his fishing buddy Don Kaufman. In 1968 there was a big flood in Midland, Texas and he took his cherished Criscraft boat out to help rescue kids trapped at school. Well, the boat sunk and his brother kidded him for years saying "I thought the captain was supposed to go down with the ship". Dad was known to have a hardware store in his garage and at least two of everything. He was always willing to lend a hand and or explain to you that you were going about it the wrong way and give you detailed instructions on exactly how you should fix it, and he was usually right. Grandchildren were very important to both Dad and Bonnie and many summers were spent at the lake fishing, boating down the canyon at Alcova Lake, counting the deer that were frequent visitors plus hose water fights. Every visit he was teaching them something about fishing, wildlife or just the constellations in the sky. He truly was the best grandfather and teacher ever, as Josh remembers, while Kolby deemed him her boyfriend at the ripe age of two. We are very sorry that Abbie did not have the opportunity to meet her grandfather before he passed away. We truly have a hole in our heart, but a lifetime of memories that we will share forever. The family wishes to thank all the doctors and nurses at Wyoming Medical Center and especially the nurses and CNA's on 4th and 5th floor. We sincerely appreciate all their care and support during this very difficult time. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph G. Ladd Sr. and Opal A. (Snyder) Ladd and son, David G. Ladd. He is survived by his wife Bonnie Ladd of Alcova, WY, sister Judy Rolen and husband Herbert Rolen of Canyon Lake, TX, brother Ronald "Butch" Ladd and wife Sherry Ladd of Midland, TX, daughters, Tana Weber and husband Terry Weber of Tulsa, OK and Dana Barnes and husband Bobby Barnes of Plano, TX and grandchildren Joshua Weber and wife Brittany Weber, Kolby Weber and Abbie Barnes plus numerous nieces and nephews. To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit: www.NewcomerCasper.com