Ralph Thomas Denton

Denton, Ralph Thomas Ralph Denton, 86 or Hobe Sound, Florida passed away on February 18, 2016. Ralph was born in Culleoka, Tennessee on October 6, 1929. He graduated with a class of eight students in June, 1947 and attended Columbia Business College – later working with the F.B.I. in an administrative position in Washington, DC. In 1948, at the age of 18, Ralph joined the United States Air Force. As an intelligence Sergeant of the 19th Bomb Wing, his duty brought him from Texas to Guam and then to Okinawa when the Korean Conflict broke out. The 19th flew the first strikes against Korea the day after their arrival in Okinawa. Ralph married Rachel McMann on August 3, 1952. Rachel was Sergeant in the W.A.F.'s and shortly after that Ralph was discharged and returned to the F.B.I. in Washington. In October Ralph decided to rejoin the Air Force and was sent to an Air Force Base in North Carolina. He was transferred in December 1952 to Cape Cod, MA where their daughter Becky was born. The family of three later moved to Nagoya, Japan for three years. There Ruth Ann and Rhonda were born. In 957 the family of five came back from Japan, and Ralph was again stationed in Massachusetts until 1960 when orders now sent him to Morocco. After returning to the States in 1961 they went to Little Rock, Arkansas where their son Rodney was born. In 1964 the family was transferred to Honolulu, Hawaii for three years duty at PAVAF Headquarters. There their daughter Robin was born. In 1967 Ralph and family returned to the States to Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. After a short time, orders came for a tour of duty in Vietnam. Ralph returned from Vietnam to Barksdale, Louisiana in 1969. On February 1, 1970, after twenty one years of service with four commendation medals and decorations, Ralph retired as Senior Master Sergeant to live in Tequesta, FL. On February 23, 1970 Ralph's career with the United States Postal Service began. With his first job, came a bicycle. They headed him in the direction of 15th Street in West Palm Beach. He knew nothing about West Palm Beach. He was not even sure where the Post Office was. Ralph spent several years as an active member of the North County Ambulance Service, and in 1971 he became a Charter Member of the Jupiter Elks Lodge #2469, sponsored by the first Exalted Ruler, Howard Koch. Ralph has served in all the Chairs. On April 1, 1978, Ralph became the Exalted Ruler of Jupiter Elks. He has been on several of Jupiter's District Winning Ritual Teams and three times has been named to an All District Chair. Ralph has served on server District and State Committees. He was a Certified Computer and Word Judge. On May 26, 1985 Ralph was installed as Vice President of the Southeast District of the Florida State Elks Association. Ralph and his family lived in Tequesta for 28 years and in 2004 moved to the Retreat in Hobe Sound. He was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Rachel McMann Denton. Left to cherish is memory are his children Rebecca Norcia of Ft. Pierce, Ruth Vandall of Hobe Sound, Rhonda Walters of Port Matilda, PA, Robin Coombs of Dayton, Ohio and Rodney Denton of Apex, NC; his companion Janice McMann, his sister Ozella Dugger of Culleoka, TN and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Services and burial will held in Tennessee at a later date.

Ralph Thomas Denton

October 6, 1929 - February 18, 2016