Visitation will be immediately prior to services from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the chapel. Contributions may be given to West Carroll Dixie Youth, P.O. Box 1227, Oak Grove, LA 71263. Online condolences may be sent to www.schowengerdtchapel.com.
Ralph Thomas Oldham, 77 of Murfreesboro, Tennessee passed away peacefully Wednesday, July 3, 2019 surrounded by his family. He was born on June 7, 1942 in Drexel, Missouri to Bill and Veda Oldham.
Ralph graduated from Central Missouri State University majoring in business and agriculture. He married Mary Taylor in 1964 and they started their adventure out in Olathe, Kansas with Ralston Purina. His job as a feed salesman continued through several other towns until he decided to follow his dreams of working for himself. He loved the field of agriculture, so he took a chance in Carthage, Missouri and purchased an abandoned run-down feeder pig business and went to work. He quickly turned it into a thriving business with duck-tape, binder twine, and prayers. That began a series of seemingly impossible projects that took him on to even bigger challenges in West Plains, Missouri, Sulphur Springs, Texas, and Oak Grove, Louisiana. Ralph’s ability to see value in something others could not was amazing not only in risky business ventures but in people too. He had a knack for reading people and knowing when someone down on their luck deserved a hand up. Ralph’s competitive nature won him many honors over the years. He was selected Master Pork Producer of Texas, Star Young Farmer of Texas and Farmer of the Year in both Texas and Louisiana. His work to improve the cattle and pork industry led him to serve on state and national boards. Not one to be afraid to express his views, he was well known for his innovative ideas and courage in facing challenges.
As the children came along, he could not wait until they were old enough to throw a ball or swing a bat. He loved coaching his kids so much that afterwards he continued to coach little league for his community. Mary came home from work one day to find a complete baseball field in the back yard of their Louisiana home. If he wasn’t coaching, he was planning and thinking about coaching. More importantly than the wins and losses were the valuable lessons he taught players and parents as he modeled honesty, responsibility, and good sportsmanship. “Coach Ralph” left a wonderful legacy to the young people he touched throughout the years. “Always My Best” was his motto and he both taught it and lived it well.
After retirement, the couple moved to Murfreesboro, Tennessee to spoil three granddaughters. He described himself as the “Grandpa” of the neighborhood. He was there for anyone who needed a jumpstart, a tire changed, or just someone to lend a hand and offer encouragement.
No matter if he was landing a new business deal, pushing for change in his community, being a foster parent, leading a 4-H club, coaching baseball, or just walking his neighborhood as “grandpa” he always tried his best. He pushed the people he loved to do their best. And if he could do something to help you achieve that, you could count on him every time. Ralph enjoyed doing things for people anonymously. He loved seeing a need and being able to do something about it. We would like to challenge all who knew him to honor his memory by doing something nice for someone else.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Veda Oldham. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary Oldham; children Jason Oldham, Meredith Howlin and husband Philip Howlin; Dr. Carrie Robey and husband Mark Robey; Honorary son Billy Spataro and wife Jennifer Spataro; grandchildren Sydney Robey, Taylor Robey, and Evelyn Robey; brother Robert Oldham, and brother Larry Oldham and wife Kathie Oldham; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. Heaven has gained a wonderful man.
Ralph Thomas Oldham, 77 of Murfreesboro, Tennessee passed away peacefully Wednesday, July 3, 2019 surrounded by his family. He was born on June 7, 1942 in Drexel, Missouri to Bill and Veda Oldham.
Ralph graduated from Central Missouri State University majoring in business and agriculture. He married Mary Taylor in 1964 and they started their adventure out in Olathe, Kansas with Ralston Purina. His job as a feed salesman continued through several other towns until he decided to follow his dreams of working for himself. He loved the field of agriculture, so he took a chance in Carthage, Missouri and purchased an abandoned run-down feeder pig business and went to work. He quickly turned it into a thriving business with duck-tape, binder twine, and prayers. That began a series of seemingly impossible projects that took him on to even bigger challenges in West Plains, Missouri, Sulphur Springs, Texas, and Oak Grove, Louisiana. Ralph’s ability to see value in something others could not was amazing not only in risky business ventures but in people too. He had a knack for reading people and knowing when someone down on their luck deserved a hand up. Ralph’s competitive nature won him many honors over the years. He was selected Master Pork Producer of Texas, Star Young Farmer of Texas and Farmer of the Year in both Texas and Louisiana. His work to improve the cattle and pork industry led him to serve on state and national boards. Not one to be afraid to express his views, he was well known for his innovative ideas and courage in facing challenges.
As the children came along, he could not wait until they were old enough to throw a ball or swing a bat. He loved coaching his kids so much that afterwards he continued to coach little league for his community. Mary came home from work one day to find a complete baseball field in the back yard of their Louisiana home. If he wasn’t coaching, he was planning and thinking about coaching. More importantly than the wins and losses were the valuable lessons he taught players and parents as he modeled honesty, responsibility, and good sportsmanship. “Coach Ralph” left a wonderful legacy to the young people he touched throughout the years. “Always My Best” was his motto and he both taught it and lived it well.
After retirement, the couple moved to Murfreesboro, Tennessee to spoil three granddaughters. He described himself as the “Grandpa” of the neighborhood. He was there for anyone who needed a jumpstart, a tire changed, or just someone to lend a hand and offer encouragement.
No matter if he was landing a new business deal, pushing for change in his community, being a foster parent, leading a 4-H club, coaching baseball, or just walking his neighborhood as “grandpa” he always tried his best. He pushed the people he loved to do their best. And if he could do something to help you achieve that, you could count on him every time. Ralph enjoyed doing things for people anonymously. He loved seeing a need and being able to do something about it. We would like to challenge all who knew him to honor his memory by doing something nice for someone else.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Veda Oldham. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary Oldham; children Jason Oldham, Meredith Howlin and husband Philip Howlin; Dr. Carrie Robey and husband Mark Robey; Honorary son Billy Spataro and wife Jennifer Spataro; grandchildren Sydney Robey, Taylor Robey, and Evelyn Robey; brother Robert Oldham, and brother Larry Oldham and wife Kathie Oldham; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. Heaven has gained a wonderful man.
