Obituary: Ralph Shivers Jr.

Graveside Services with military honors will be held at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, S.D., at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 7. Family will meet at Kinkade Funeral Chapel at 1:30 p.m. to process to the cemetery. It is with a heavy heart that we must share the passing of who we all truly consider the founding father of our family.

Ralph was never one to boast about himself. He much preferred hearing about your experiences rather than sharing his own. If you were lucky enough to get him talking, his stories truly never disappointed. For example, it would not be unusual to see young Ralph and his buddies water skiing behind tugboats on the Willamette River. Another example: Mary talks about the time Ralph was pulled down the paved street in Seaside, Ore., in a row boat. While Ralph was rowing, his buddies were dragging the boat, and Mary recalls all the ladies looked the other way because it was LOUD. They didn’t want to give the boys the attention they were seeking. Goofy “Grandpa Ralph” stories are a “real thing” for his grandkids. He left us with so much and asked for so little.

Ralph was a World War II Veteran in the Navy from 1944-1946. He was stationed on the U.S.S. Craven (DD382), a destroyer, and worked as a fire controlman in the Pacific and Atlantic theaters. After serving his country, he came home and pursued his passion which was the study of geography, graduating from Oregon State University in 1950.

Ralph married the love of his life, Mary Claire Jermann, in 1951. They were blessed with two children, Linda Sue and Stephen Paul. Ralph and his family lived all over the United States, frequently moving while Ralph worked to build U-haul Corporation. Not surprisingly, due to his hard work and enthusiasm, Ralph eventually became president of the company. He felt it was a privilege, and it was very exciting to see a large corporation grow from the ground up.

Ralph’s passion after retirement was planting trees on his property which overlooked Hood River and the beautiful Mount Hood. A self proclaimed tree farmer, nothing brought him more joy except spending time with his family and his grandchildren. Whether he was teaching them how to skip rocks in Yellowstone Lake or how to drive a manual transmission, they truly meant a lot to him. Even during retirement, Ralph and Mary couldn’t stay put for too long. They traveled all over North America in the various motorhomes they owned over the years. They ventured through Europe twice via tour bus, but focused mainly on travels stateside that would allow them to spur off and see family.

Our family wants to thank the Black Hills VA CLC staff for such amazing care and support.

Thank you Ralph (Dad, Grandpa, and Great-Grandpa) for trusting us and taking a chance by moving to South Dakota so family can be together during this time. While we wish it could have been longer, we will cherish the memories we shared with you and know that it was your time to move on.

He truly will be missed. He is survived by his wife, son, favorite daughter in-law, brother Don, five grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and a multitude of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, a sister, and daughter Sue.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, bit.ly/RalphShivers.