John D. Ralston "Scotty," age 95 of Warren, died Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital in Clinton Township, Michigan. He was born March 2, 1922 in Kirkintilloch, Scotland, son of the late William and Helen Ralston.At the young age of 22, John's life was beautifully changed the day he watched his bride take her walk down the aisle the day they were joined together in holy matrimony in the eyes of family and friends alike. Their marriage took place on July 12, 1944 at St Mary's Church in Kirkintilloch, Scotland where they were born and raised. They shared their vows, exchanged their rings, and began a life together as husband & wife that spanned over 72 glorious years,…just shy of their 73rd wedding anniversary. Together, they went on to build upon the comforts of home & hearth, raised two beautiful children, and grew deeper in love with each passing day. Ultimately, the call for a better opportunity in employment drew John and his family to America where they began a new chapter in their lives and acclimated to their new home with pride and excitement. Blessings would eventually befall John as he landed gainful employment with the automotive giant, Ford Motor Company. Being a hard worker and a man of many skill sets and talents, his strengths at Ford were utilized in the field of repair which was his wheelhouse throughout his tenure with the automotive manufacturer. After 24 years of service excellence and loyalty to the job, John accepted his well-deserved retirement in 1984 and entered the world of the Golden Warriors.Yet even though he was now a proud American and happy to be a part of the American Dream, there was never a question of the pride he held and maintained for his Scottish heritage,…a link to the core of his native nature. And though John was a bit bull-legged and sported some knobby knees, he could still ROCK THE HOUSE each time he donned his kilt and swaggered around in Scottish style! As for the pastimes that filled his life, the first & immediate response from his family was the infamous WWE. Wrestling and John went hand-in-hand, and he was definitely one of the sports' most ardent fans. When turning on the telly, it was all about watching those bodies slam against the ropes, perhaps into each other, and on those special occasions,…fly over the ropes! Wrestling was that bit of entertainment that was hard to beat for this particular Scotsman.Another of John's favorites came each time he boarded the bus that was taking he and his fellow gamers to the Firekeeper's Casino in Battle Creek, Michigan. John treasured this specific outing because it was a great day-filler that offered so many highlights,…with one of them being his love of playing Poker and Texas Hold 'Em. You could have your Roulette Wheels and One-Armed Bandits,…just give John a deck of cards and some chips and he was all over it.Then there was the game of Golf. Of course, coming from the land of its creation, it only made perfect sense that the game would make its way into John's life,…and it did, but only after his retirement. But what better time to discover such a great sport than when you've got all the time in the world to enjoy it, right? And John grew to love the sport, but only if he was a participant. You couldn't get him to watch it on the telly,…that was reserved for his beloved, Annie. There's nothing quite the same as a sunny day on the links, just you and a friend chasing your balls around the course. Now THAT'S a good time!In his earlier years, John was known to be quite light on his feet and enjoyed each moment he got to spend on the dance floor with Annie in his arms. Together, they could cut-a-rug with the best of them and found great enjoyment on many occasions,…especially those shared at the local Scottish hall, the Tartan Social Club in Warren. The club was a meeting spot for many of his fellow countrymen, a club of which he also served as one of its past President's. Possessing quite the eclectic array of favorite things to do, none of them could hold a candle to the joys and pleasures he experienced in the company of his loved ones,…especially his precious grandchildren. Not only blessed to be a loving Grandfather, John was also gifted in reaching the heights of Great-Grandpa and Great-Great Grandpa, too. His quiver was surely full,…with each one holding their own special place in his heart. The times he spent with them, and each of his family members, were moments he held close to his heart and valued beyond words. The memories made helped to form a bond that will be cherished forever with each reflection shared. John leaves a legacy of love that was uniquely "him,"…and touched a multitude of hearts and souls in his journey through life. He will truly be missed and treasured. John was the beloved husband of Annie. Dear father of Ann (Paul) McGuckin and William (Dawn) Ralston. Loving grandfather of Dawn Morway, Heather (John) Pastorino, Jeremy (Ann) Ralston, Patti McGuckin, Kari McGuckin, Josh Ralston, and Karin Brown. Cherished great-grandfather of 13 and great-great grandfather of 3. Brother of Mag Cassidy (his twin sister), and Isobel Elliott. John is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews worldwide. A Memorial Service for John will be held at a later date with further details pending at this time.Memorial donations are welcomed to the American Diabetes Association, 30200 Telegraph Road, Suite 105, Bingham Farms, MI 48025.Arrangements have been entrusted to the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home in Warren. Please share memories of John at his memory book above.
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