Ralph Dale Provost

Ralph Dale Provost 1932 ~ 2006 FRUIT HEIGHTS - A courageous, noble man has left our side to begin the next phase of his mission. Our dear husband, father, mentor, and friend, Ralph Dale Provost, quietly passed away Sunday January 15, 2006, after enduring a twelve year battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). Ralph was born August 9, 1932 in Midway, Utah to Wallace Burnell and Ruby Montgomery Provost. He was very proud of his Pioneer heritage and honest, hardworking parents, traits he lived by and instilled in his own family. Ralph graduated from Wasatch High School in 1950 and began his working career in the Keetly Silver Mine. He then went on to attend the LDS Business College and Steven Henegar's Business College. Ralph enlisted with the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict, serving his country during the Cold War in Germany. Once home Ralph worked for the Hone Oil Company, and then the United States Postal Service. He served in many positions and retired as the Postmaster for Spanish Fork, Utah. Ralph loved cars and the last job he wanted to do was to work around them. He started working for Utah Auto Auction (Mannheim Inc.) as a driver and retired from there as their Marketing Sales Manager. Ralph was a member of the LDS Church and served in many positions, including Ward Clerk, Home Teacher, and Bishop for the Sunset 2nd Ward. He also was the Executive Secretary for the Sunset Stake, and was the church organist for Fruit Heights 2nd and 6th Wards. Ralph was never able to go on a mission and when he was no longer able to play the organ, he decided to create his own mission by helping local missionaries. Ralph was an inspiration and mentor to the missionaries by providing rides to the temple, taking them to breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and spending untold hours counseling them. Ralph loved this work and did so up to the day he died. Ralph's passions, besides his family, were his yard and his love of music. He was an accomplished pianist and organist, and could even play the trombone. His favorite by far was the organ and those people lucky enough to hear him play were truly blessed. Ralph's yard work was always groomed to perfection. Ralph married the love of his life, his angel, Belva May Peck in the Salt Lake City Temple on May 20, 1953 after only three dates. Ralph is survived by his wife Belva, Fruit Heights, Utah; their two children, daughter Robin Dee Provost, Roy, Utah; son Mark Lee Provost, Seattle, WA; and sister-in-law Faye Provost, Heber City, Utah; brother and sister-in-laws, Ken (Billie) Peck, Linda (Ron) Sutphen, Lyle (Karen) Peck, Larry (Kathy) Peck, Leslie (Mark) Devereaux and Lynn Peck, Salt Lake City, Utah. He was preceded in death by his parents, his two brothers, Fay Provost, Robert (Bob) Provost, sister Lois Provost Pope, sister-in-law Adele Provost Cochran and brother-in-law Woodrow Pope. He is also survived by several loved and cherished nieces, nephews, and other family members, as well as numerous friends and missionaries from around the world. Funeral services will be Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2006 at 11 a.m. at the Fruit Heights 6th Ward, 901 So. Mountain Road, Fruit Heights. Friends and family may call Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist's Kaysville Mortuary, 400 North Main and Wednesday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Interment, Farmington City Cemetery. e-mail condolences to the family at llm@lindquistmortuary.com