Ralph Lee Edwards Sr.

Ralph is survived by his four children Ralph ‘Corky’ Edwards, Jr. and wife, Pat; Danney Edwards and wife, Violet; Scott Edwards and wife, Trish; and Noelle Kleszynski and husband, Keith; step-daughters, Marian Browne and Susan Dietrich; grandchildren Matthew Edwards and wife, Lauren; Michael Edwards and fiancé, Tiffany; Kevin Edwards and wife, Jessica; Katie Edwards; Kraig Edwards and wife, Brittany; Mary Lane and husband, Jeremy; Teather Edwards; Shepherd Edwards; Dominik Kleszynski; Leo Kleszynski; seven great-grandchildren; and brother, Jim Edwards and wife, Vicki.

Ralph is preceded in death by his wife, Joanne Harris Dietrich Edwards; brother, Douglas Edwards; and grandson, Eric Edwards.

Ralph was born September 30, 1926 in Sulphur, OK to Don E. and Jewell Oklahoma Edwards. Ralph shared many fond memories of spending time in Konowa with his mother’s family, the Johnsons. He graduated Capitol Hill High School in 1944 and two months after graduation entered the Navy, proudly serving his country on the USS Nashville stationed in the South Pacific until the end of WWII. He attended the University of Oklahoma on the GI Bill where he earned his BS degree in Geology in 1952.

Ralph enjoyed a long geological career, working for Ashland Oil and serving as Vice President of Exploration for Champlin Oil in Ft. Worth before launching his own oil and gas company in Oklahoma City, Inter-States Oil and Gas and later, Trans-States Energy. Ralph served as President of the Oklahoma City Geological Society from 1961-’62 and was a long-time member of the Geological Library and the Society for Independent Petroleum Earth Scientists.

Ralph was an avid outdoorsman. He particularly loved skiing, boating, and golf. He enjoyed vacationing in Vail, CO and Pompano Beach, FL where he and his wife, Joanne, resided for many years. He loved to golf daily and was a member of the Greens Country Club in Oklahoma City for over 40 years. He loved cheering on the Sooners, the Thunder, and the Dallas Cowboys and had a passion for traveling and cruising.

Above all, Ralph was a loving and dedicated son, husband, father, and grandfather. He will be dearly missed. Our many fond memories comfort us and stay with us always. A small, family service was held at Rose Hill Burial Park on Saturday, July 18. Donations may be made in his name to the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society and The First Tee of OKC.