Ralph Edward Deas, age 84, went home on April 19, 2023, while surrounded by his wife and girls. He was a resident of Crestview and a beloved husband, Daddy, and Peepaw.
Ralph was born at home in Salitpa, Alabama, the youngest of 6, where he grew up loving to explore the woods and fishing in Satilpa Creek. He also loved listening to Alabama football on the family’s old time radio. He went to Coffeeville High School where he enjoyed playing football for the Coffeeville Panthers and also met his wife Sharon. Side note, he was part of the 1955 Panthers’ State Championship team his Senior year. After graduation, Ralph joined the Air Force, married Sharon Elizabeth Thornton, the love of his life and they had two girls, Cindy and Ginger. After his 4 years in the Air force they moved to Mobile, Alabama, where he worked at Brookley Field and several other jobs, when Brookley Field closed. He earned his degree in electrical engineering while at South Alabama and got a civil service job at Eglin Air Force Base where he moved his family to Crestview, Florida. That is where he and Sharon were members of the First United Methodist Church.
Ralph had a passion for Alabama football (Roll Tide Roll), coaching his little league football players on the 11 to 13 yr old Bullpups teams, watching and helping with his grandkids’ sports teams, fishing, fixing things, spending time at RLA (Ralph’s Little Acre) which was his “Happy Place” on his family homestead in Alabama, and hanging out with his family, including his precious grands and great grands, as my parents call them! It can’t be left out that Ralph had a great sense of humor and loved to tell jokes too, no matter how long it took, especially a good Auburn joke!
Ralph is preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Eugenia Deas, his sisters Edna Wise (husband John), Blanch Newman (husband Kenneth), Bobby Steele (husband John D), his brother Lamar Deas (wife Yvonne),
brother-in-law Beryl Chancey, nephews Greg Chancey and Malcolm Deas.
Ralph is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Sharon Deas; daughters Cindy Deas and Ginger Brogan (Dave); his sister, Loyce Chancey, his “Grands” Lee Cadenhead (Kelly), Beth/Sarah Arthur (Steven), Stacy Forsthoefel (Kevin) and Bud Brogan; his “great grands” the Cadenheads: Taylor (Lydia), Noah (Kassidy), Owen, Sam, Nate and Jacqueline; the Forsthoefels: Jack, Carter, Emelia and Henry; and the Arthur’s: Jase, Hudson and Emma and numerous nieces and nephews.
We want to thank Emerald Coast Hospice, Comfort Keepers, and all of our family and friends for all your wonderful care, thoughts, and prayers throughout this last year and a half. We could not have done it without you all and God’s amazing grace!
A celebration of life for Ralph will be held at a later date in Alabama.
You may leave your condolences at www.brackneyfuneralservice.com
David Newman
April 21, 2023, 9:04 pm
My uncle Ralph did have a wonderful sense of humor & being the youngest of his siblings, I truly believe he was my cousins & my favorite uncle. When we had a family gathering he would always take the time entertain his nephews, whether it was playing in the yard, exploring the property, target practice, fishing or just making us laugh. He was a huge support to me when I my father was sick & always tried to make the trip from Crestview to Alabama when I was there from Texas, trying to keep things up when my father was no longer able. I will miss him for the rest of my days & will have nothing but fond memories of MFUNR. May you rest in peace. Love ya, Man!
Lane Holland
April 22, 2023, 11:33 pm
Sharon,
I am so very sorry to hear about Ralph! Needless to say I have great memories of our carpool days back and forth to Eglin! And yes he could tell a joke or two! It was always the 3 engineers against us two girls, but I truly cherish those days and have very fond memories of Ralph! My sincere condolences to your and your girls who he dearly loved!
Danny and Debbie Bowden
April 23, 2023, 2:24 am
We are so sorry for your loss. Praying for God’s comfort and peace for all of the family.
Cena Davis
April 23, 2023, 2:51 am
So very sorry to hear of your loss. Prayers for you all. 🙏🏼
Cena Davis
Emma west
April 23, 2023, 10:09 pm
My deepest condolences to you and your family I’m so sorry for the loss of your father will be keeping you all In my prayers 🙏 ❤️ 💙 ♥️
Natalie Myers
May 9, 2023, 4:14 pm
I had the great and wonderful honor of taking care of Ralph, such a funny, serious man he was. It was the best days always with him, watching Andy Griffith, giving him his favorite chocolate and laughing with him. Trying to make some awful dad joke and him just looking at me with those brows of his, trying to not smirk at me.
It was a pleasure to be his friend, his aide and apart of his family.
Roll tide, Ralph ❤️