RALPH SEXTON

RALPH SEXTON, passed away peacefully at the VNA Hospice on September 11, 2014 with his beloved wife Chris Dale Sexton and devoted poodle, Pierre at his side. Born September 13, 1927, he was just two days shy of his 87th birthday which was declared Ralph Sexton Day by the Vero Beach City Council in 2006. Sexton leaves behind four children, his son, Sean Sexton (Sharon), daughters, Katie McCall (Kevin), Hilary Kloska (Rob) and Jennifer Scent (Clyde), along with nine grandchildren and fourteen great- grandchildren. Ralph Sexton was the oldest son of Elsebeth and Waldo E. Sexton (deceased) and was the last surviving brother of three other siblings, Randy Sexton, Barbara Tripson and Jacquelyn Daley who is now the only living sister. He was the patriarch of a large varied family who lived under the unmatched stature of Waldo whose presence is still felt in many of Vero Beach's predominant landmarks. Among the creations built by Ralph's father were the Ocean Grill, The Patio Restaurant, Szechuan Palace, McKee Botanical Gardens and the Driftwood Inn as well as the infamous Waldo's Mountain. Ralph assisted building these enterprises with his father as a young boy of just twelve years of age. He earned his agricultural degree in Animal Husbandry at the University of Florida and was a rare breed of men who combined book learned knowledge with the sweat equity of hard work. He was happy to continue to manage his beloved Treasure Hammock Ranch with his son Sean and grandson Mike Sexton. He started off each day at his kitchen table conferring with them about the ranch and their cattle before being driven to his office by his son-in-law, Clyde Scent at Oslo Citrus each day. He continued working at both the packing house office as well as stood occasional sentry at the ranch until just this year. Sexton was a passionate advocate for keeping the land and character of Indian River County as beautiful as it continues to be today. He was on the Planning and Zoning Commission for 22 years; championed beach re- nourishment through the decades and worked with the county to save agricultural lands from encroaching development. Beyond his many business and community accomplishments, Sexton was a trusted and honest friend to so many and protector of all. His down to earth humor and his willingness to listen made him a father figure and best friend to everyone he met. Although few may not know the name of Waldo Sexton, no person who ever met Ralph will forget him. His protective and welcoming personality was admired as much as was his unbroken ethic of hard work to accomplish his many goals. He will be most missed at the numerous gatherings he and Chris held with family and friends to relive the days of their entwined lives or talk over the day's happenings. Each person would always defer to his memory for any detail or forgotten name that will now go unrecalled. A service to remember his life will be held at Community Church on Wednesday, September 17th at 3PM. His family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to VNA Hospice, the Florida Cattlemen's Foundation or the Indian River Charter High School Ralph Sexton Scholarship Fund. Arrangements are under the direction of Strunk Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.strunkfuneralhome.com.