Ralph Millard Day

Ralph Millard Day relocated for the final time, passing peacefully to his eternal resting place in the early morning hours of December 7, 2023, at Cove Point Retirement facility in Provo, Utah. No U-Haul needed this time. Ralph was 96.

Ralph was born on February 7^th, 1927, in Enid, Garfield County, Oklahoma, the eldest son of Lora Bertha Francis Johnson and Ralph Emerson Day. Ralph had four siblings, Thomas Eugene, Arthur Elmus, Sybil Josephine, and Terrence Lee, all of whom preceded him in death. Ralph was known as “Mick” throughout his childhood.

After only eight years of formal education, Ralph went to work, at the age of 15, laying railroad tracks across Oklahoma. The men he worked with found it hilarious to stick “the kid” with the hardest, most punishing tasks. And so began Ralph’s journey of working harder than everyone around him. As the Great Depression ended Ralph and his father Ralph decided that the Pacific Northwest held better work opportunities. The family moved to Vancouver, Washington, in 1943. Shortly after the move, Ralph convinced his parents that he should join the U.S. Navy at the age of 17. Ralph spent the final months of World War II in the Philippines.

Ralph and Barbara Elaine Beck were married on August 17, 1947, in Washougal, Clark County, Washington. Ralph and Barbara worked endlessly to provide for their family. The family moved more than 40 times in the pursuit of financial stability that did not come until much later in life. Nevertheless, the results of Ralph and Barbara’s efforts were a warm, safe homes, food on the table, ample clothing, and friends throughout the country. Barbara passed away in 2002. Ralph married three more times. He married Norma Justus in 2008, Joyce Belveal in 2015, and Joan Brady in 2017.

Ralph and Barbara have seven sons. Randal Dewayne, twin boys that were stillborn, Daniel James, Stephen Thomas, David Bruce, and Scott Douglas. As a father, Ralph wanted the best for his children. Ralph could often be heard bragging of their accomplishments to anyone that would listen. He worked with his sons on renovating and painting houses, coaching baseball, fishing, camping, and many other endeavors. Regardless of the task, Ralph was always in teaching mode, hoping to help the boys be just a bit more prepared for life.

Ralph was a religious man. He had a deep belief in God and His Plan. He led a ministry in the 50’s bringing the hope of Christ to inmates in various prisons in the Northwest. Barbara was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1961. Ralph was unsure in the beginning but was also baptized into the faith in 1966. A year later, the family trekked from Havre, Montana, to the Cardston, Alberta, Canada temple to be sealed to each other and their boys in May of 1967.

Professionally, Ralph was printer, newspaper man, linotype operator, a pizzaiolo, lumberjack, car salesman, vocational instructor, publisher, residential and commercial painter, and handyman, to name a few. In his spare time, of which there was precious little, Ralph was an avid writer, photographer, and gardener.

Ralph is preceded in death by Ralph (father), Lora (mother), Tom (brother), Arthur (brother), Sybil (sister), Terry (brother), Barbara (wife), Randy (son), and Larri-Lea (daughter-in-law).

Ralph is survived by his sons (and daughters-in-law), Dan (Kris), Stephen (Laurel), David (Karen), and Scott (Grace). He is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great-grandchildren.

Ralph will be laid to rest in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery in an intimate graveside service at 1:00 PM on Saturday, December 16, 2023.

Condolences may be expressed to the family on this page.