Ralph Winston Caldwell III

Portola resident Ralph Winston Caldwell, III passed from this life suddenly Monday evening, December 5, 2016 the day of his fifty second wedding anniversary, at the age of 80. Born July 28, 1936 in Phoenix, Arizona to the late Ralph Jr. and Leona (Holly) Caldwell, Ralph was raised and educated in Phoenix graduating from Phoenix Union High School as a member of the "Class of 1954". He went on to further his education attending Arizona State before obtaining his Degree in Electrical Engineering from Los Angeles State College in 1964 while working for the City of Los Angeles Water and Power and it is here a pretty fellow employee named Donna Ruth Taylor caught his eye. The couple was united in matrimony on December 5, 1964 in Van Nuys, CA and moved to Plumas County in 1981. Ralph later worked for the City of Burbank's Water and Power Division, later as a civilian contractor in Viet Nam and for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory before going to work for Sierra Pacific Power Company, retiring in 1996. A devout member of the Methodist faith he attended the Portola United Methodist Church where he served on various committees throughout the years as well as singing in the choir. An accomplished artist he enjoyed painting in watercolors, acrylics and pen and ink specializing in the beauty of the barns of Plumas County. He enjoyed playing his guitar as well as working alongside his wife at High Sierra's Animal Rescue's cat program. In his passing Ralph leaves his loving wife of fifty-two years; Donna of Portola, daughter; Karen Markland and her husband Gary of Fresno, CA, sons; Kevin Caldwell and his wife Susan of Bakersfield, CA and Ralph Taylor Caldwell and his wife Jennifer of Sparks, NV. He was the proud grandfather to Rachel, Sarah, Emma, Nickolas, Ralph and Zachary and great grandfather to Amelia and Guinevere. Ralph is also survived by a sister; Patricia Konomos of Tempe, AZ and a brother; Michael Reynolds of Phoenix, AZ. A celebration of Ralph's Life is planned for 11:00AM Friday, December 16th, 2016 at his beloved United Methodist Church, 396 2nd Street, Portola, CA 96122. An opportunity to express your condolences to the family along with signing the memorial guest register is available online at www.fehrmanmortuary.com. In lieu of flowers, you may make a contribution in Ralph's memory to United Methodist Church of Portola/Music Fund or Global Teams/Higgins Ministry at 800 Tuskawilla Rd, Winter Springs, FL 32708