Ralph Stahley

Ralph Frederick Stahley, age 90, died May 7, 2016, at the Tenderheart Extended Care in Evanston, WY.  He was born May 20th, 1925, in his grandparents, Henry and Hester (Narramore) Stahley’s home at 648 Sage Street in Evanston. His parents were Frederick Henry and Lilly Irene (Erickson) Stahley.  He was their only child (a sister died at birth).  He was raised on the Stahley ranch on Yellow Creek and attended local schools, graduating from Evanston High School in 1943.  In 1944, he married Gloria McAllister and then enlisted in the navy to fight in WWII.  He served for two years in the Pacific and after being honorably discharged, came back to Evanston.  He attended Utah State University, in Logan, UT, earning his B.S. in Agriculture and after college he went to work for the Soil Conservation Service. While living in Evanston, he and Gloria were blessed with two sons and one daughter.  After receiving a promotion, he moved the family to Douglas, WY for eleven years where one more daughter was added to the family.  In 1965, the family moved to Laramie, where Ralph stayed with the SCS until his retirement in 1982.  He continued to live in Laramie for a number of years and during this time he and Gloria were divorced and he moved back to Evanston.  There he married Mildred Warren and lived on the Stahley ranch until two years ago, when health issues made it necessary to move into Tenderheart Extended Care. He was active for many years in the Moose, Kiwanis, V.F.W., American Legion, Shriners, Elks and Lions clubs and was also a Mason.  He loved to travel and drove to almost all of the continental U.S. on trips, and for many years was a “snowbird” with a winter home in Casa Grande, AZ.  He loved to be involved in clubs and organizations and was a true cowboy who was never seen outdoors without his cowboy hat.  He had a saying for every situation and we, his children, find ourselves repeating them to our children and grandchildren.  He was a generous, fun loving man who loved to dance, loved his family and the outdoors and never got the ranching lifestyle out of his blood.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Millie, and his first wife and the love of his life, Gloria Stahley.  He is survived by his sons, Ronald Stahley (Cheryl) of Evanston, Richard Stahley (Lou) of Casper, daughters, Sherry Anderson (Dave),  and Margaret Johnson (Mark) of Laramie; eleven grandchildren: Vicki Thornhill (Doug), Nadeen Ryan, Natalee Little (John), Ralph Stahley Jr. (Jennifer), Melissa Cummings (Ron), Sara Larrimore, Shawna Blue (Marty), Tonya Pierce (Brian), David Anderson (Angela), Amanda Johnson and April Miller (Spencer);  24 great grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren.  Also, a very special lady and friend, Beverly Fackrell of Evanston.  He has been cremated and a memorial service will take place in July.  He will be missed by his entire family and will forever be our “John Wayne”