Ralph Martin Barnes

Ralph grew up along the banks of the Ohio River and loved to recall memories from his adventuresome childhood. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Cincinnati where he also served in their Air Force ROTC program. Upon graduation, Ralph toured overseas with the Air Force for four years. While stationed in Sculthorpe, England, he met and married the love of his life, Maxine McCord. They were together 58 wonderful years. In their first years of marriage the couple enjoyed traveling throughout Europe. After his time in the Air Force, Ralph took a job with North American Aviation in Columbus, Ohio.

He enjoyed a long and productive career as an aeronautical engineer, a job which took him around the world to such places as Tel Aviv, the UAE, Sweden, and many others. His career spanned four decades. He was honored in his retirement for 46 years of service. After living over 20 years in Ohio, both in Columbus and Granville, Ralph and Maxine and their children moved with his company (then Boeing) to Duluth, GA, where they lived another 20 years. Upon retirement, they moved to Tallahassee, FL and enjoyed many summers swimming in their beautiful pool and entertaining friends and family.

Ralph loved to travel with Maxine and the two spent summers driving across the country to Texas and beyond. In his golden years, Ralph continued to take adventurous trips with his wife, including a 50th wedding anniversary cruise they graciously shared with their children and grandchildren.

Ralph's life was enriched with memories, and blessed with family and friends. He is survived by his loving wife Maxine, wonderful children Diane, Martin and Jennifer, and grandchildren Nicholas, Julia, Ashton and Anna Kate.

Culley’s MeadowWood Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.