Dr. Joseph Ralston

Ralston, Dr. Joseph W., 89, retired US Department of Agriculture and Private Practice Veterinarian, passed away June 1, 2015 in Wichita, Kansas. Born to Wesley and Clara Ralston on January 18, 1926 in Bucyrus, Ohio, he graduated from Mechanicsburg High School in 1944, turning down a farm deferment to enlist in the United States Navy during World War II. He served as a signalman on board the U.S.S. Medea throughout the conflict and witnessed the surrender of Japan from the bridge of the Medea in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945. Following the war, he graduated from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1951 and joined a private veterinary practice in South Euclid, Ohio. In 1952, he treated the pet of Bettylou Zimmerman–and asked for a date as partial payment. The relationship blossomed and they were married in May of that year. They celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on May 24. Together they raised three children. He spent more than 30 years in private practice in South Euclid, Ohio and Phoenix, Arizona before retiring. He interrupted his initial retirement to work for the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service as a Public Health Veterinarian in Liberal, KS and Maricopa, Arizona before finally retiring for good and relocating to Wichita, Kansas in 2007. He is survived by his wife Bettylou, daughters Cindylee Franson (David) of Wichita, KS; Pamela Sue Cochran (Charles), of Severna Park, MD; and son John (Tiffany) of Sacramento, CA, six grandchildren: Sarah Thomas (husband Phil) of Phoenix, AZ; Nate Franson of Wichita; Emily Mitchell (husband Sam) of Annapolis, MD; Josh Cochran (wife Angela) of Frederick, MD; Peri Ralston and Cade Ralston of Sacramento, CA; and five great-grandchildren: Evelyn, Bennett, and Grey Thomas, and Joel and Noah Mitchell. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, June 6, 2015 at First Evangelical Free Church, in Wichita, Kansas. A reception for family and friends will be held at 6528 E. Bar Z Lane, in Paradise Valley, Arizona from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to First Evangelical Free Church, 1825 N. Woodlawn, Wichita, KS 67208. Share condolences at www.CozineMemorial.com http://memorial.360ideaswp.com. Services by Broadway Mortuary.

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