He was a longtime resident of Fort Worth, Texas, living there for over 55 years. It was there that he raised five daughters on the Eastside of Fort Worth along with his high school sweetheart, wife Lois. He moved to Houston about six years ago to be closer to family.
Ralph served in the Korean War in the Army Medical Corps. He attained the rank of Sergeant as a Chief Medical Technician and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal. After his discharge, he graduated from Eastern Illinois State University in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science degree (Honors) and a double major in Business and Education.
Ralph began his professional career at IBM in marketing and marketing support. He then worked for Bell Helicopter, as Manager of Systems Engineering. From 1964-1970, he managed the total marketing support group worldwide for Control Data Corporation. This position required extensive global travel and marketing negotiation for sales and installation of computer systems. He also managed the computer installation at Cape Kennedy for the Gemini-Titan space program.
In 1970, Ralph began self-employment as an exporter of medical supplies, marketing primarily in Central and South America and Africa. He was Vice Chairman, District Export Council at the U.S. Department of Commerce. He worked for the Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census as a Field Representative after he retired. Ralph traveled the world during his career, working on five of the seven continents. He was active in both Fort Worth, Texas and St. Marylebone, London Rotary Clubs.
Ralph was a long-time active member of Meadowbrook United Methodist Church working with youth and young couples. He held positions on a variety of committees. He was named Outstanding Layman of Fort Worth for work with the United Methodist Church. Ralph enjoyed 72 years of marriage with his wife, Lois, who departed from this earth in 2023. They traveled extensively around the world and enjoyed playing sports and dancing.
Ralph was an Eagle Scout and a Master Mason. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, water and snow skiing, World War II history, and collecting statues from each nation he visited. He frequently barbequed on his indoor grill and made the best homemade ice cream you have ever tasted. In his retirement, he nurtured flowers in his self-made raised flowerbeds. He had a special ability to foster amaryllis plants.
Ralph is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lola Lois Lazier Shelley; parents Ira Alvin Shelley and Goldie Lilly Lister Shelley; and his sister LaVance Jean Shelley Swits (Lyle).
Ralph is survived by his daughters, Julie Locke (David), Paula Cook, Valerie Shelley, Lori Sommer (Mark), and Terry Kanzig (Paul); grandchildren Tim Locke, Sarah Locke Smith (Travis), Caitlin Cook Clark (Tanner), Lauren Cook, Philip Shelley, Aaron Shelley (Samantha), Clarke Kanzig, and Lucas Kanzig; great-grandchildren Owen Smith, Ava Shelley and Olivia Shelley; his nephew Gary Swits (Nancy); two nieces and a nephew and five great nieces and nephews.
Ralph and Lois Shelley will be interred together on Monday, July 22, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75211.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Houston, Texas at the Clarewood House Senior Community, 7400 Clarewood Dr., 77036 on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow.
The family would like to thank the caring and loving staffs at both the Clarewood House Senior Community and Vantage Hospice for the care of our dad, grandfather, great-grandfather, and uncle.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to Boy Scouts of America at donations.scouting.org or to your local scout troop. Flowers are not accepted at the burial site.
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