Ralph Fox

Ralph Fox, 83, died on April 10, 2009, at his home in Napavine, Wash., following a lengthy illness.

He was born on April 18, 1925 to Dee and Mary Fox of Madras, Ore. He grew up in Silver Lake, Ore., and graduated from Klamath Falls High School.

He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from July 14, 1941 until 1946. He served mostly in Japan during World War II with an air transport squadron.

He married Mary Probst in 1952 and started logging in Washington and Oregon. He moved to Dubois, Wyo., in 1960 and logged until his retirement in 1990.

He met and married Estelle in 1973 and she preceded him in death in 1996. While traveling the country during his retirement, Ralph met and married Betty Williams in Las Vegas in 1998 and she survives him at their home in Napavine.

While he had a passion for logging, Mr. Fox also enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf, traveling and spending time with good friends. He and his wife enjoyed going to Arizona during the winter months and often brought back produce from their trees on their lot for others to enjoy.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Williams-Fox, a son, Ralph E. (Butch) and daughter-in-law Diana Kay of Libby; granddaughters, Stacey Kelley of Spokane, Wash.; Amanda Rich of Rosalia, Wash.; and Angella Fox of Spokane; stepdaughters, Linda Cook of Etna, Wyo.; and Sandra Fuller of Wildonor, Calif.; and stepsons Arnold Ferrin of Pocatello, Idaho, Norman (Corkee) Rogers of Inkom, Idaho; Kenneth (Nancy) and Dave (Cheryl) Williams of Napavine; 16 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.

His sister Kathryn Moore preceded him in his death in 2007.

A graveside service at the Napavine Cemetery will be held on Friday, April 17 at 1 p.m. A gathering for friends and family will take place after the graveside service at the Napavine Assembly of God Church in Napavine.

In lieu of flowers people may make contribution to Assured Home Health and Hospice at 1821 Cooks Hill Road, Suite 100, Centralia, WA 98531.