Ralph Edwin Artrip

Ralph E. Artrip, MSGT (RET) US Army, went to join his late wife, Betty on September 18, 2012. Ralph was born July 24, 1925 in the small village of Glenhayes, West Virginia to Elizabeth and Ora Artrip. He was the oldest of six children. Ralph graduated from Fort Gay High School in 1943. He entered the US Army in 1944 where he spent the next 26 ½ years. He was stationed at various posts in the US, Germany, Japan and Korea. After his retirement from the Army, he was employed by the US Army Air Defense Board at Ft Bliss for the next 20 years, retiring in December 1992 as a GS10. He is survived by three brothers, Don (wife Costella) of Baltimore, OH; Jessee (wife Evelene) Columbus, OH; and Paul (wife, Irene) of Huntington, West Virginia. He is also survived by his long time friend, Christa Ward of El Paso, Texas and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, William who passed away in Korea in 1957 and by his sister, Lucy Stafford. He is also preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Betty. Visitation will be held from 9:30-10:30 Monday, September 24, 2012 at Sunset Funeral Home Northeast. Commital Service will be held at 11am, Monday September 24, 2012 at Fort Bliss National Cemetery with Full Military Honors. Please visit on-line register book at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net