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Ralph Hartgrove Obituary
KING, N.C. -- Ralph Woodson Hartgrove, Sr. died June 3 at the Universal Health Care facility in King, NC.
Ralph was born on May 14, 1921 to Willie Ray and Lilly Covington Hartgrove of King. Ralph was formerly a member of Temple Baptist Church.
Ralph is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Opal and his brothers Joseph, Ray, Clyde, and William.
Ralph is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Rubye Fowlkes Hartgrove; two sons, Ralph Woodson Junior and his wife Beverly and Jerry Wayne and his wife Barbara; four grandchildren, Tracy, Megan, Lyle and Alan; and four great grandchildren Carter, Sydney, Vincent, and Rocco; brothers Edgar, Dean, Dennis, and Jimmy; and a sister, Rachel.
Ralph was a child of the Great Depression, suffered disappointment as a young farmer, and served his country with the Navy in the South Atlantic during WWII. He began his career in federal government service as an employee of the VA after WWII and joined the US Customs Service in 1956 in Wilmington. His service took him and Rubye to Miami, FL where he retired in 1980. They returned to King and he has volunteered to several (American Legion Post 290, King Outreach Ministries, King Baptist Church) service organizations, usually as treasurer or bookkeeper for most of the last 30 years.
Ralph was very involved as a volunteer with the youth programs of Temple Baptist church and the Wilmington community. He was a Deacon, a Little League coach, a youth basketball coach, and PTA president. In his later years he was the biggest fan of his grandchildren's and great grandchildren's athletic pursuits.
Ralph lived his life with a spirit of patience, gratitude, wonder, and love. He loved the Lord, he loved his wife, he loved his family, he loved other people, and he loved doing for others. He was happiest doing simple things like working his garden and lawn, shelling peas and talking about fun and memorable times. His legacy to all who survive him is that one needs only a little material wealth to have a wonderful life. Ralph was grateful for every blessing God sent his way.
Funeral services will be conducted 11:00 AM Tuesday, June 7 at Slate Funeral Home in King, NC.
Ralph really appreciated the work of the Hospice and Palliative Care Center to make him comfortable as his life ended. The family suggests you make a contribution to the local chapter in lieu of flowers.
Online condolences at StarNewsOnline.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ralph Hartgrove
June 9, 2011
Mrs. Rubye:
Please know how deeply saddened we are with Ralph's passing. Should you need anything from us we are a phone call away. He was a very special man and we loved him dearly.
Marva Newman, Bank of the Carolinas
Ralph Muser
June 8, 2011
Ralph was one of the most honest individual I have ever met. I admire his ethics and devotion to his beliefs. He taught me not only technical customs matters but the values of living a good honest life and to be proud of your religious beliefs. He left a life long impression on my life. My ten years of experience of working with Ralph in Miami were great. God Bless Ruby and Family.
Ralph C. Muser ([email protected])
Norene Morris
June 7, 2011
Dear Rubye and family,
So sorry to hear about Ralph's passing. our thoughts and prayers are with you. Praise God that he is now home with his Savior and Lord. We love you.
Erlene Priddy
June 6, 2011
Rubye, May God Bless - I Love you and will be in touch soon. Erlene
tim thornburg
June 6, 2011
Ralph was one of the best men I have ever known. I will treasure his memory and the times shared with him. Praise the Lord for his life and years with us.
We will continue to pray for the Hartgrove family.
June 6, 2011
RUBYE,WOODY & JERRY - WE ARE SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. RALPH WAS A KIND AND LOVING MAN. OUR ENTIRE FAMILY LOVED AND RESPECTED HIM. MAY GOD BLESS YOU IN THE DAYS AHEAD. BENNIE GAYLE PARKER & FAMILY
June 6, 2011
woody and jerry,
sorry to hear of the passing of your father.
had it not been for him. i would not have been able to play summer
baseball. he saw to it that i got to practice and the games we played.
i have alway kept the hartgrove family in my memories.
boy ! we sured had a great team the summer of 1960
vic rogers ( wilmington, n.c. )
Larry Norman
June 6, 2011
Uncle Ralph was one of the finest men I ever knew. He will be missed. I have so many happy memories of spending time with Auntie, Uncle Ralph and Woody and Jerry!! Anyone who knew Ralph--was blessed!!! I will miss you Uncle Ralph.
C Rogatsios
June 5, 2011
We will so miss Mr. Hartgrove, seeing him out in his yard working away. My young son loved Ralph and cried when he heard the sad news. Ralph was a such a nice person and always spoke proudly of his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. A good man ...
John Cowand
June 5, 2011
Ralph was one of the most memoriable people that I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. He was a caring, gentle and kind person. He will be missed by many here in Wilmington, especially by my mother-in-law, Mary Hubbard.
June 5, 2011
i am sorry i never knew you but you sound like you were a very nice man.
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