I will always remember Uncle Ralph for his genuineness, kindness, and humor.  He took a true interest in everyone around him, and he had a unique ability to find humor in everyday life.  

I will also remember Uncle Ralph for his fighting spirit and determinedness.  This was clear not only during family poker gatherings and golf games, but more importantly, through his will to persevere during such difficult times with his health.  His spirit was a testament to his deep love for his family, friends, and life in general.  

He was a great uncle, brother, father and grandfather. He will be deeply missed. 

Our families first intertwined in the 40's in Abbeville, my first memory being that of a toddler &  trying to climb on Ralph's Uncle Alex's lap in my Mamon's kitchen. What a joy to my grandmother & parents to extend that relationship, via Mr Ralph & Mrs Jackie, in the early 60's in Port Sulphur, while otherwise navigating a new community with few prior acquaintances. 

Little Ralph was always kind & indulgent, even of those of us a few years younger. He patiently taught me Battleship, Stratego & Chess and rowing on the Reservoir and, without a hint of condescension, acknowledged my presence at daily high school band practices, where I was just a kid among older classmates. 

I was blessed to keep up with Ralph's adventuresome life's journey, fairly well, through contact with his beloved parents at Freeporter outings, often in Aurora. 

My most enduring memory was an email exchange I had with "Little Ralph" when he was in MD Anderson (I believe it was). He was so unbelievably courageous, incredibly grateful to & so very highly complimentary of the staff, there. "If ever you have the need, God forbid, come to Houston," he urged. Ralph's attitude, I'm sure, largely determined the success of his treatment & gifted his friends & loved ones so many more precious, sacred years of his loving presence. 

What a guy! What a man! 

I'm so deeply grateful to have known him & his parents and sisters because of Msgr Alex. I pray for his spouse, children & grandchildren, for Denise, Michelle & Ann, that you'll all know every consolation of faith, family & friends during this moment of deep grief and that sweet memories of your beloved husband, dad, grandpa & brother will nurture you all the days of your lives. 

The photo attached is of Ralph & Denise's school days circa 1968, a little collage I shared years ago with their Dad.

We have had the pleasure of living across the street from Ralph and Ann for these past years.  I will miss running into Ralph on the walking paths and exchanging stories about the “good old days” in the Gulf of Mexico oil patch.   You couldn’t ask for a more cheerful and friendly neighbor.  Rest in peace friend.

Ralph was a very good friend.  We met in Anchorage where we both served on the Alaska Oil and Gas Board of Directors and shared good times with our mutual friend Charlie Brown.  We became reacquainted after all three of us had moved to The Woodlands.  Charlie again brought us together to begin a weekly golf game.  As time passed, we played many rounds of golf together and enjoyed several evenings playing Texas Hold-Em with friends.  I talked Ralph into working with me for John M. Campbell where he developed subsea training materials and taught week long courses.  As in everything I saw him do, he strove for excellence.  We really enjoyed competing against each other and he was a serious competitor in everything he undertook.   However, he was always fair, honest and willing to help others improve.  We shared financial planning learnings and good books that we discovered and I highly valued his thoughts and suggestions. I don't recall Ralph ever loosing his cool other than temperature wise when he would dump cold water on his head and back while golfing because of the heat.  He never complained about his health issues, but just plugged away.  Ralph was lots of fun to be with, reliable, trustworthy, candid and honest.  I really miss my friend!

I will always remember Uncle Ralph for livening any gathering that he was a part of. He had such a fun and interesting personality that immediately brought joy to those around him.

I have many memories of him enthusiastically discussing history, finance and even poker strategies. His humor and intellect are wonderful gifts that will continue to live on through those with whom he shared them. 

We are so lucky to have been surrounded by such a wonderful and impactful person - he will be greatly missed. 

Ralph, Jr. was the first born of my beloved brother and his wife, Jacqueline. I first met my nephew when he was one month old and his parents were newly weds. It was love at first sight and this love transcends his lifetime. He was named my executor in my will. In fact, in early 2019 when his life was at stake, he was working long hours on an investment strategy to secure my future. I love him and will miss him greatly. It is beyond our scrutiny that God would take someone so young while others of us would live to be so old. - I love you  - Uncle Lou

Uncle Ralph was truly one of a kind.  You always knew when he was in the room, and it was almost always accompanied by his wonderful sense of humor or a funny story.  He helped to remind us all that life is meant to be fun.  Uncle Ralph also had an impressive desire to learn new subjects such as obscure European history, the already mentioned financial subjects and even how to smoke certain foods that you could not imagine.

Uncle Ralph took a genuine interest in the lives of those around him.  Not a visit went by where he didn’t ask me how school or work was going.  This was a common occurrence between all of his nieces and nephews.  Uncle Ralph brought joy to us all and showed us how to live with an upbeat attitude.  Thanks for all of the memories.

We owe Ralph and Ann a debt of gratitude we can never repay.  When Marathon transferred us from Lafayette to Moscow in 1996, our son had just enlisted in the Army but wouldn’t report for training for months and we didn’t know what he would do until then.  I turned to Ann and Ralph - could they feed/house/care for him for those months?  Their answer was “Yes”.

Good friends are hard to find, great people even harder.

God Bless ... 

Lori and Dave Golder

Renny and I were so touched to see Uncle Ralph and Aunt Ann at our wedding in January.  We know he probably was not feeling well.  He made such an effort and took time to travel all the way to New Orleans to celebrate with our families.  He put up a valiant fight and was loved by so many.  He will forever be in our thoughts and prayers.  

I first met Ralph in Anchorage Alaska, where we took Brother on a midnight run for reds in the Russian River. We also played a bit of golf at the Full Swing indoor golf, during the long winters. I followed him to Lafayette and them to Houston for Marathon Oil. I will remember the good times we had playing golf  and what an honest and caring person he was.
Our sincere condolences to Ann and the family.
Brad & Ginny Penn

Sincerest condolences to Ralph’s family at this sad time. I worked for Ralph in Lafayette and he was a consummate professional and personable leader. His calm and reasoned management style helped those who worked under his direction to excel.  We stayed in touch when we both were transferred to Houston and I will always have fond memories of my dealings with Ralph. “At the end of the day”, as he was often fond of saying, he will be missed, but I am certain he has found a place on God’s management team. Rick LeBlanc

Ralph was one of a kind: a true family man and a true friend. Our friendship spanned several decades and continents. He will always be in our memory: from Brae A to the Gulf of Mexico to the infamous ‘spreadsheet’ in The Woodlands. Jo and I feel privileged to have been close to the family and to have visited Ann and him during his sunset period. We will sorely miss his camaraderie and humor.  Thankfully, we will continue to cherish our friendship with Ann, Young Ralph, Jeremy, Jennifer, and his loving sisters Denise, Michele, and Ann and their respective families. 

Ann and family, I was so sorry to hear of Ralph's passing.  I  enjoyed the years I worked with Ralph in Alaska.  Just recently I was talking about the night a group of us went to Alyeska for dinner in a snow storm.  What a night!  My thoughts and prayers are with you.  

I worked with Ralph in Lafayette and always admired his work ethic and sense of humor.  There was seldom a dull moment when in a meeting with Ralph.  He always did his job and expected you to do yours without having to tell you.  I am sad that Ralph's life ended so soon I know he will be missed.  Very sorry for the family's loss.

Rod Hebert

My wife (Claire Bonneval) and I went to school with Ralph, from grade school thru college - LSU.   Ralph was a heck of a good guy.  He was always interesting to talk with - whether it was his work (petroleum engineering) or places he and Ann & family lived, or finances , or sports.  He had a passion for every thing he did ( even when he almost died years ago and saw "the white light" ). 

His family was special to him since whenever we would meet and go to dinner with he and Ann, what the kids were into at that time was always brought up in a proud fatherly way.   

With deepest sympathy, Claire and Charles Ballay , Belle Chasse, LA



AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Leo Ralph Dartez Jr.

18 août 1952 – 13 mai 2019

Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home & Cemetery

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