Ralph Jacob Marriott

Ralph Jacob Marriott, a deeply devout Catholic, completed his service to the Lord on this Earth December 30th, 2024.
Ralph grew up in Perry, OK- where he fondly recalled his Catholic school teacher being the inspiration for Darth Vader. Fulfilling a duty to his country, he enlisted in the National Guard. Later, he went on to the University of Oklahoma, joining Pi Kappa Alpha in 1971, relishing in his role as the most fiscally minded kitchen manager ever to serve as a Pike. Ralph then dominated the roads of OKC Dukes of Hazzard style as an EMT, to which we all attribute his amazing navigation skills. He later transitioned to nursing, attending Sock Jock/ South OKC Community College and working all over the metro area before a long and successful career as a travel nurse. A self-described "murse", he enjoyed contract assignments in Oklahoma, Texas, Washington, California, Nevada, Alaska, and numerous other places.
Ralph was a lover of toys, tech, and gadgets of all sorts. He owned (and this is in no way an extensive list): a Ski Barge, Hovercraft, aqua scooters, motorcycles, ultra light airplanes, Kit cars, unicycles, bicycles for two, go karts, 4 wheelers, scooters, jet skis, motor homes, and every tech gadget imaginable. Ralph's only rule, none of it was to be purchased new. Ralph was always down for an adventure, and his years as a night nurse meant that not only could he sleep almost on command, but he needed very little sleep to keep going. This made his driving suspect at times- but that didn't stop him from hitting the road, going from the Rio Grande Valley in Texas to Washington state straight thru- or making it from OKC to Pharr, Texas in an amount of time so brief, I don't dare say for fear of legal repercussions. A true social butterfly, he ensured good times were had by all. Ralph never met a stranger. He served as the collective memory for his family, able to recall the full name and detailed history of everyone he met, from grade-school on.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Roy Gustav and Margaret Evelyn Marriott. He is survived by siblings (below), his daughter, Crystal Martin of Norman, OK and Jacob Marriott of Olympia, WA. Ralph also had two grandchildren he adored - Scout and Sawyer Martin. Scout taught Poppi Ralph how to use an iPad, and Poppi Ralph delighted in showing her how to use his Alexa. They both then took great joy yelling at "ALEXA" to play their cartoons. Pappi Ralph was also tickled to outfit his Kia Niro with DVD players, mostly for his viewing enjoyment while eating and driving, but also for the grandchildren.
Ralph died knowing he was loved and supported by his amazing siblings; including Anita Marriott of Yelm, WA, Lee Marriott of Edmond, OK, Paul Marriott of Yelm, WA, Robert Marriott of Norman, OK, and Victor Marriott of Yelm, WA. This gang of free-range children grew up roaming the streets of Perry, America and later Norman, OK - and despite decades of time and a half continent or more between them, have managed to sustain a familial bond rarely seen in this day and age.
Ralph delighted in his service to others, volunteering with the Knights of Columbus and at the St. John Paul II Dwelling for the Dying up until he was physically unable to continue. A faithful servant of God, Ralph was serious about his Catholic faith and assistance to others.
Tremendous and heartfelt thanks go to the truly exceptional nurses at St. Anne's Nursing Home, who provided much more than nursing care for Ralph, but also provided a peaceful and compassionate environment during his transition from this life to the next. Ralph, a nurse of 5 decades, delighted in regaling the team with his tales of nursing. He also informed the staff of how to do their job everyday (and apparently in various colorful ways).
Services will be held at the Lynlee Mae Chapel at 507 E Main St in Moore, OK at Noon on Friday, January 3rd with Deacon Marti officiating. A blessing will then be continued at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery in Norman, OK.
While his family takes great comfort in knowing that Ralph will be immortalized in a Catholic cemetery in the hometown of his favorite Sooners, they would like it known that his memory will live on at Bill Miller's Bar-B-Que (all locations, but especially the one off the highway in San Antonio), Old Paris Flea Market, the Cherokee Strip Celebration in Perry, and at every 7-11 you pass that has refillable soda cups.
Memorial donations in Ralph's name can be made to Gospel of Life Disciples or your favorite Catholic charity. Ralph would also be tickled if you could stop by your favorite bar-b-que joint, where you are instructed to eat a hot link with mustard only, and tell a few tales of (mis)adventures had with Ralph.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Ralph Jacob Marriott, please visit our floral store.