Ralph Emerson Patrick, 77, of Ironton, Ohio, formerly of Flatwoods, Ky., passed away on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012, at King's Daughters Medical Center in Ashland.
Ralph was born Dec. 26, 1934, in Lawrence County, Kentucky, a son of the late Marion and Hazel Hardeman Patrick. He graduated salutatorian from Dawson-Bryant High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Marshall University. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.
Ralph retired from Ashland Oil as a Group Leader in Research & Development after more than 40 years of service. Ralph was a member of Rock Camp United Methodist Church, the Ashland Retirees Club, the Ashland Oil Forum Club, the American Chemical Society and the Order of the United Commercial Travelers of America
While employed with Ashland Oil, Ralph was active in the company's athletic leagues, including bowling and softball. He enjoyed playing golf and attending horse races in Lexington during Keeneland meets. He was an avid sports fan, who enjoyed watching the Kentucky Wildcats and the Marshall Thundering Herd. He was a dog lover, and he adored his pet Chihuahua, Rockie.
In recent years, Ralph and his wife lived in the community of Deering, Ohio, where he had many fond memories from growing up there as a child.
Ralph is survived by his wife, Mary Sue Meeks Patrick; his children, Dee Case (Steve) of Dayton, Ohio; Kevin Patrick of Lexington, Ky.; Joel Patrick (Teresa) of Franklin Furnace, Ohio; and Kelli Adanick (Paul) of Lexington. He is also survived by his three beloved grandchildren, Sarah Vanderpool (Harlan) of Indianapolis and Jessica and Seth Patrick of Franklin Furnace. Besides his mother and father, he was preceded in death by his brother, Roy Patrick, of Hopewell, Va., and his sister, Florence McGinnis, of Coal Grove, Ohio.
The funeral service will be conducted 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012, at Steen Funeral Home Central Avenue Chapel. Burial will follow at Ice Creek Cemetery in Deering, Ohio.
Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, at the funeral home.
Contributions in his memory may be made to Sierra's Haven, 80 Easter Drive, Portsmouth, OH 45662 or to the American Diabetes Association, 1221A-Ohio Avenue, PO Box 115 Dunbar, WV 25064.
Online condolences may be sent to www.steenfuneralhome.com
