Til We Meet Again, Brother Ralph Dean Tucker

Ralph Dean Tucker received his Christmas wish on December 19, 2023 when he was reunited for the rest of eternity with his loving wife Elaine.  Ralph died at age 95 at the Birch Creek Assisted Living Center in Smithfield, UT. 

Ralph was born at home on August 22, 1928, in Soda Springs, ID, the fifth and last child of Charles and Della (Sanderson) Tucker. Soda Springs was his home until 5^th grade when the family moved to Pocatello, where Ralph learned invaluable lessons working in his father’s sheep business during the summer months, herding sheep and cooking for the hired hands. 

Ralph attended Pocatello High School from 1942 to 1946, a proud member of the varsity basketball team all four years of high school.  He continued his education at Idaho State University graduating with a BA in business.  At college he spotted a beautiful girl riding on the swan float in the homecoming parade. He persuaded a friend to arrange a blind date.  The rest is history.  Ralph married the love of his life, Elaine Hale, on December 23, 1950.  The two spent 71 years together, raised 2 sons Ralph Lynn and Tracy Dean, and a daughter Terri Della, and enjoyed time spent with their six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Ralph enlisted in the US Navy August of 1950 during the Korean war. In 1951 he became a mustang, an enlisted man who becomes a commissioned officer. He awoke one day a seaman apprentice and went to sleep that night a commissioned officer.

 After his years in the service, Ralph began work as a salesman for Bannock steel, which later became Gate City Steel. This began a 30-year career. He retired in 1987 as senior vice president.  Retirement didn’t last long.  He returned to work for 3 additional years with Geneva Steel before retiring with Elaine to St. George, UT, where they enjoyed more thirty years together. They were active community members and made many dear friends.  Together they served five years as ordinance workers in the St. George LDS temple, and Ralph also enjoyed 15 years volunteering at the hospital in St. George. 

 Ralph was a devoted husband, a loving father, and a loyal friend.  He touched many lives with his kindness, wisdom, and humor.  He said in the end it didn’t matter where he went to school, what board he sat on, or what club he was elected to serve as president. What mattered was what he did to make the world a better place. He always said: “Keep your sense of humor and find something to be grateful for”.  He leaves a legacy of a life well lived. He will be dearly missed.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a charity of your choice.