Dr. Ralph Abner Hyde

Dr. Ralph A. Hyde completed life’s journey Wednesday, December 18, 2024. He was born in 1927 to Henry and Annie Lee Hyde in Ripley, Tennessee. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force in Europe during WWII and immediately after. Upon his completion of military service, he enrolled at UT Martin and completed the B.S. degree in Economics at UT Knoxville; the Master’s Degree in Educational Administration at Memphis State University and the Doctorate in Educational Leadership at UT Knoxville. He devoted his entire professional life to education in Tennessee having served under five presidents of the University of Tennessee during his career; 20 years working out of UT Knoxville and 17 years at UT Health Sciences Center Memphis. Upon retirement, he served as a volunteer at Church Health Center and delivered Meals on Wheels with the aid of his wife, Donna. He is a member of the American Legion Post 284. He was preceded in death by his sister, Gladys Whitley. He is survived by his wife Donna Lee Hare Hyde of Lakeland; his daughter, Genia Blose (Paul) of Lakeland; son, Gregory Hyde (Susan) of Memphis; and son, Carey Hyde (Penny) of Georgia. He is also survived by five grandchildren; Josh Byrd, Rachel Gallante, Lindsey Ivy, Trevor Hyde and Ian Hyde; and seven great-grandchildren and one great-grandson who preceded him in death, Dean Ralph Hyde. He is a member of Highland Heights Presbyterian Church. Graveside services will be held at 2:30 PM on Thursday, January 2, 2025 at West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, 4000 Forest Hill Irene Rd., Memphis, TN 38125. Memorials may be sent to Highland Heights Presbyterian Church or Tennessee State Veterans Home, Arlington, TN.