Ralph E. Thorpe

Ralph E. Thorpe, 97, of Santa Fe, Missouri, previously of Cuba, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at his son Jerry’s home. 

On November 29, 1926, Ralph was born to the union of Roscoe Conklin Thorpe and Katherine (Kerwin) in Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

Ralph was a proud service member of both the United States Navy during WWII as well as the United States Army during the Korean War. He served his country twice gallantly, in some of the worst conflicts this country has fought in. His efforts and bravery that he offered did not go unnoticed by his family and friends and shall never be forgotten. 

On October 15, 1955, Ralph was united in marriage to Mae (Russell) in Bourbon, Missouri. 

After serving his time in the military, Ralph worked as a machinist for Seiler Instrument Company in Webster Groves, and they specialized in the production of military equipment.

Ralph is lovingly referred to by his children as “the master bullshitter”. He had a way of storytelling that would leave you wondering if what you had just heard was true. A couple of stories that come to mind, is when he claimed that he had been abducted by aliens, which he maintained for close to 30 years and then one of the very many stories from his children was when they would want to go morel hunting with him, he had them convinced that they would have to get a special license as well as a mushroom hunting dog and if they didn’t walk super quiet through the woods the morels would dive back into the ground. The family would take a yearly camping trip to the Smokey Mountains where they would be as snug as a bug in the 10x10 tent that would hold the 7 of them. Along with camping, Ralph also loved to go fishing, specifically for trout. This last year, he got to go fishing with his daughter, Sue’s family as well as his son, Jerry’s family, down at Montauk State Park. Even though he needed some help casting his line, he held the reigns when it came to reeling them in. Ralph was never much of a cook, though he did try his best at making a “fish stew” which unfortunately did not turn out to be edible, but Ralph thought that it was great and that’s all that mattered. The only other thing that he was good at “cooking” was taking his wife’s fluffy biscuits, cutting them in-half and frying them in a pan. The smell of the fried dough permeated through the house and would tend to get everyone’s appetites going. Ralph was an independent soul, after he retired, he ventured into the world of painting and had amassed quite the collection of beautifully crafted works before he began to lose his sight. Ralph was a huge baseball fan and rooted for the Cincinnati Reds. He was always a very content man and never complained. Ralph was certainly loved by his family and friends, and he will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roscoe Thorpe and Katherine Unger; his wife, Mae Thorpe; one daughter, Lynn Walker; siblings, Stanley Thorpe, Donald Thorpe, Lyle Reagan, Richard Thorpe & Frances Gilbert. 

Ralph is survived by his children, Lonny Thorpe and wife Lisa of Stoutsville, Jerry Thorpe and wife Judy of Santa Fe, Tina Dykema and husband Tracy of Washington state and Suzanne Mikus and husband Eugene of Bellflower; 13 grandchildren, Gina, Andrea, Katie, Jennifer, Elizabeth, Daniel, Charles, Christine, Christopher, Samantha, Anthony, Korra and John;16 great-grandchildren, Davion, Joseph, Alyssa, Adyson, Adrianna. Alexandria, Arik, Corey, Matthew, Emma, Lexie, Leah, Luke, Tyler, Galileo & Rosalind; nieces; nephews; other relatives and many friends. 

A visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at Mizell Funeral Home, Cuba. A funeral service with military honors will follow at 4:00 p.m. also at Mizell Funeral Home, Cuba. Ralph will be cremated after the services and his wife’s and his remains will be inurned together at Ft. Leonard Wood Veteran Cemetery at a later date. 

Arrangements under the care of Mizell Funeral Home, Cuba.