RALPH G THOMAS, JR.
July 8, 2024
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On July 8, 2024, Ralph Graham Thomas Jr. went home to be with the Lord.
First born son of Maxine (Norris) and Ralph Sr., he was born on April 21, 1951, in Salisbury, North Carolina. The oldest of four boys, his mother describes him as being a beautiful baby who had the same sweet nature as a child as he had as an adult; one who loved and excelled at baseball, and who enjoyed her mashed potatoes (but definitely not the mashed turnips). Known as both quiet and serious, Ralph was slow to anger but was fierce in his defense of those he loved. He is described by his brothers (Tom, Stuart, and Curt) as being loyal and kind, a protector who would stand up for you, and the role model of a godly man.
Ralph met Trudy (Lackey), his wife of 52 years, in first grade at Ellis School. Although he may have known that she was “the one” at age 6, they didn’t become a couple until attending North Rowan High School where Ralph played football and baseball, and Trudy was a majorette and basketball player. After graduating from “North” in 1969, Ralph enrolled at N.C. State; however, his time with the Wolfpack was cut short. In 1971 he received his invitation from the Selective Service ordering him for induction into the Armed Forces. Ralph chose to enlist in the US Air Force and headed off to San Antonio, Texas, where he completed his basic training. While in the Air Force, he attended weekend courses taught by professors flown out to the base and received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Southern Illinois University. Having proposed to Trudy in the summer of 69’ before leaving for college, they were married on November 21, 1971, at Mount Tabor United Methodist Church in Salisbury. Trudy joined him in Texas and their firstborn, Candice (or Candy, as her dad called her), arrived in the summer of 1973 while Ralph was stationed at Dyess Air Force Base.
The young family moved to Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina, in the fall of 73’, where they bought their first house in Fayetteville. Ralph was honorably discharged from the Air Force in December of 1975 and began work as an engineer in the civil service. While in Fayetteville, Ralph enjoyed playing golf at the Stryker course, and most memorably worked on a re-design of some of the fairways for the Ryder golf course at Fort Bragg. In September of 1978, Ralph and Trudy welcomed their son Mark as the family’s time in Fayetteville was coming to an end. In January of 1979, with a 3-month-old and 5-year-old in tow, the family packed up and moved to Unicoi, Tennessee, where Ralph joined the public sector as an engineer with Texas Instruments. The family became members of Unicoi United Methodist Church, where Ralph taught Sunday School and participated in church pageants. Ralph also played in a men’s softball league for the Texas Instruments Astros, and the family frequently traveled to games and tournaments where Mark and Candice could be found playing in the red dirt at the ball fields.
The Thomas family made their final move in the summer of 1983 when Ralph was lured to the Sunshine State by Harris. They settled in Palm Bay, Florida, and joined Palm Bay Christian Church where Ralph once again taught Sunday school and eventually became an Elder in the church. Many mornings he could be found up early with a cup of black coffee in hand, his bible open, and a pad of paper next to him as he planned his lessons. Ralph enjoyed discussing and debating the bible, and when he and Trudy began attending First Baptist of Melbourne, he joined in teaching a bible study class at the Fountains assisted living home. During his 29 years with Harris, Ralph worked on some of the most advanced military and cutting-edge technology projects in the world; the Apache helicopter, F-22 & F-35 fighter jets, and some space programs that were classified. He traveled extensively around the U.S. and the world to collaborate with his teams. His children always enjoyed peppering him with questions about what he did at work, trying to see if they could get any information out of him (which they were never successful in doing). Occasionally, he was able to take Mark and Candice to work to show them what he had been working on, which was always a thrill! These years were also full of family and friends, with multiple trips annually going “home” to Salisbury. Ralph enjoyed nothing more than spending time with his family and passed that love on to both of his children. He coached little league baseball and was frequently in the audience at recitals, concerts, school functions, and sporting events. As the family grew to include 6 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren, he rarely missed an event or activity that any were involved in.
One of Ralph’s favorite pastimes was playing golf, and there were many memories made on a golf course with family and friends. As his son Mark shared, they had opportunities to play golf courses that most people only dream about! Ralph loved Pebble Beach so much that they played there twice, but his favorite course was Rolling Hills in Salisbury where Ralph, his dad, his brothers, and his son would tote their bags to every time he came to visit. Ralph dearly loved to travel, and in their 52 years of marriage, he and Trudy visited 45 states and 18 countries! They traveled by car, bus, paddle boat, airplane, cruise ship, mule, and camel on their adventures, often with groups of family and friends. One of Ralph’s most memorable trips was to the Holy Land, where he was able to walk in the footsteps of Paul and stand where he preached. He also never met a glass of red wine that he didn’t love! On their travels, Ralph and Trudy often sought out wineries and brought home cases of wine from around the world. You could frequently find him out by the pool, enjoying a glass of wine, lounging in the hot tub with a big smile on his face while children splashed around him.
Ralph’s story is one of a life well lived. There was no “I love you” left unsaid, no regret of things left undone, and even when Ralph lost the power of speech, he showed love and gratitude with a touch of the hand. Ralph’s love of his family was only superseded by his love for the Lord. He lived by his favorite bible verse of Ephesians 2: 8-10 which says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ralph was the example of what a husband, father, and Christian should be, and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife, Trudy; daughter Candice (Mike); son Mark (Judi); grandchildren, Courtney (Benton), Christian, Dillon, Devin, Jacob, Blake and step-grandchildren Jayson, Jack, Jeff, and Joli; great grandchildren Piper and Ellie; his mother Maxine; and brothers, Tommy (Wanda), Stuart (Stephanie), and Curt (Jana).
The family would like to extend our sincere thanks and gratitude for all the care provided to Ralph during his time at home in hospice care. The hospice staff made Ralph’s last days at home much brighter and more comfortable up until his passing, and for that we are very grateful and appreciative.
The funeral service will be held at Salisbury National Cemetery, 501 Statesville Boulevard, Salisbury, North Carolina, on November 26th, 2024, at 11am. Reception immediately following at Mount Tabor United Methodist Church, 4520 Old Mocksville Road, Salisbury, North Carolina. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Mount Tabor United Methodist Church.