Ralph Irvin Guy, 83, passed peacefully of lung cancer at home in Billings.
He was born the eldest son of Fred and Katharine (Carroll) Guy in Merino, Mont. He was joined by siblings Ruth, Al, Shirley and baby sister Andrea. After attending elementary school in Joplin, Mont., the family moved to the Fort Benton area, where Ralph completed his education, graduating from Fort Benton High School in 1946.
Ralph enlisted in the Army Air Corps on Oct. 3, 1946, serving in the 3345th Maintenance Squadron as an airplane and engine mechanic. During this period of service, Ralph achieved the rank of sergeant and earned the World War II Victory Medal as well as the Germany Occupational Medal, spending most of his time in Fassberg, Germany (during the Berlin Airlift).
Honorably discharged from military service on March 25, 1949, at Chanute Air Force Base, Ralph was drafted back into active duty on May 18, 1949, serving in the 343rd Bombardment Squadron and the 98th Bombardment Wing during the Korean War and earning the Korean Service Medal. Ralph was again honorably discharged on Aug. 26, 1951, at Fairchild Air Force Base, ending his military service. During his time in both conflicts, Ralph was a proficient photographer, leaving his family a priceless gift of wartime photos. As a result of his time in the military, Ralph was a lifetime member of the VFW.
Returning to the United States, Ralph was employed by Northwest Airlines until 1954 before beginning a 21-year career with the Montana Highway Patrol. Ralph served first as a driver's examiner in Great Falls, ultimately transferring to the traffic division in Billings in 1959. Ralph proudly retired from MHP in 1976.
Married to Ruth Marilyn Beaver in October of 1956, the family increased with the births of son Bob and daughter Sherry. His children fondly remember Ralph's addiction to the color yellow and his avid, lifelong appreciation for the American automobile. Ralph left the State of Montana in the early 1980s and was employed as a truck driver for Convoy Trucking in California. (Ralph telling his children, after leaving the Highway Patrol, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!")
While in California, Ralph met and fell in love with Brenda Elam, marrying her on Nov. 12, 1994. Brenda joined Ralph in Montana, where he spent the remainder of his life in her company, first in Joliet (where many an evening involved playing Kismet with buddies Ron and Thelma Woody), with a final return to Billings in 2011.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; brother Al; sisters Ruth (Steinbacher) and Shirley (Sweeney); sister-in-law Elaine Reynolds; mother-in-law Fairena Goldstein; and his former father-in-law Hiram Beaver.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Brenda; "baby sister" Andy; son Bob (Diane) Guy; daughter Sherry; stepsons John and Robbie Skinner; first wife Marilyn Freitag; grandchildren Brianne Chapman, Ahlexa Lofing, Chance and Hayley Guy, Eugene, Dayton and (south) Dakota Skinner; beloved nephews Fred Steinbacher, Mark and Mike Guy; and three great-grandchildren; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Also mourning his passing is Ralph's faithful bewhiskered companion, Ava.
Dad loved old cars, planes and tractors, and would rattle off make, model and year of any built up through the ‘70s. He was always fixing something, cars, clocks, watches … you name it! After, of course, we helped him find the piece that fell and rolled to "why me" land. There was only one place to go campin' and fishin' on earth, Emerald Lake. (Why mess with success). He always said, "You have to keep your sense of humor." He exercised daily, starting usually with reading the comics out loud. Dad was 5 foot, 15, not 6 foot 3, if asked. He was never shy about getting out his trusty guitar and launching into his favorite folk song, he could sing with the best of them. He loved music and his "steel trap mind" could recall any of the oldies but goodies. He kept his sense of humor through it all, and when asked his birth date he would say, "That's easy, two nine two nine." So it should be no surprise that if you add up the date and year of his passing you get "two nine" — aw, he got us again! So long, Badge #177 … we shall never forget you.
The "gentle giant" wanted to extend his sincere thanks to the health care professionals and volunteers who provided such loving care during his most recent hospital stay.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, Jan. 23, at 11 a.m. at Cremation & Funeral Gallery, followed by a reception at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 2216 Grand Ave.
Should family for friends desire, memorials are suggested to RiverStone Hospice, 123 S. 27th St., Billings, MT 59101 or the Frontier Cancer Center, 1315 Golden Valley Circle, Billings, MT 59102.
Arrangements are by Cremation & Funeral Gallery.
He was born the eldest son of Fred and Katharine (Carroll) Guy in Merino, Mont. He was joined by siblings Ruth, Al, Shirley and baby sister Andrea. After attending elementary school in Joplin, Mont., the family moved to the Fort Benton area, where Ralph completed his education, graduating from Fort Benton High School in 1946.
Ralph enlisted in the Army Air Corps on Oct. 3, 1946, serving in the 3345th Maintenance Squadron as an airplane and engine mechanic. During this period of service, Ralph achieved the rank of sergeant and earned the World War II Victory Medal as well as the Germany Occupational Medal, spending most of his time in Fassberg, Germany (during the Berlin Airlift).
Honorably discharged from military service on March 25, 1949, at Chanute Air Force Base, Ralph was drafted back into active duty on May 18, 1949, serving in the 343rd Bombardment Squadron and the 98th Bombardment Wing during the Korean War and earning the Korean Service Medal. Ralph was again honorably discharged on Aug. 26, 1951, at Fairchild Air Force Base, ending his military service. During his time in both conflicts, Ralph was a proficient photographer, leaving his family a priceless gift of wartime photos. As a result of his time in the military, Ralph was a lifetime member of the VFW.
Returning to the United States, Ralph was employed by Northwest Airlines until 1954 before beginning a 21-year career with the Montana Highway Patrol. Ralph served first as a driver's examiner in Great Falls, ultimately transferring to the traffic division in Billings in 1959. Ralph proudly retired from MHP in 1976.
Married to Ruth Marilyn Beaver in October of 1956, the family increased with the births of son Bob and daughter Sherry. His children fondly remember Ralph's addiction to the color yellow and his avid, lifelong appreciation for the American automobile. Ralph left the State of Montana in the early 1980s and was employed as a truck driver for Convoy Trucking in California. (Ralph telling his children, after leaving the Highway Patrol, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!")
While in California, Ralph met and fell in love with Brenda Elam, marrying her on Nov. 12, 1994. Brenda joined Ralph in Montana, where he spent the remainder of his life in her company, first in Joliet (where many an evening involved playing Kismet with buddies Ron and Thelma Woody), with a final return to Billings in 2011.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; brother Al; sisters Ruth (Steinbacher) and Shirley (Sweeney); sister-in-law Elaine Reynolds; mother-in-law Fairena Goldstein; and his former father-in-law Hiram Beaver.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Brenda; "baby sister" Andy; son Bob (Diane) Guy; daughter Sherry; stepsons John and Robbie Skinner; first wife Marilyn Freitag; grandchildren Brianne Chapman, Ahlexa Lofing, Chance and Hayley Guy, Eugene, Dayton and (south) Dakota Skinner; beloved nephews Fred Steinbacher, Mark and Mike Guy; and three great-grandchildren; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Also mourning his passing is Ralph's faithful bewhiskered companion, Ava.
Dad loved old cars, planes and tractors, and would rattle off make, model and year of any built up through the ‘70s. He was always fixing something, cars, clocks, watches … you name it! After, of course, we helped him find the piece that fell and rolled to "why me" land. There was only one place to go campin' and fishin' on earth, Emerald Lake. (Why mess with success). He always said, "You have to keep your sense of humor." He exercised daily, starting usually with reading the comics out loud. Dad was 5 foot, 15, not 6 foot 3, if asked. He was never shy about getting out his trusty guitar and launching into his favorite folk song, he could sing with the best of them. He loved music and his "steel trap mind" could recall any of the oldies but goodies. He kept his sense of humor through it all, and when asked his birth date he would say, "That's easy, two nine two nine." So it should be no surprise that if you add up the date and year of his passing you get "two nine" — aw, he got us again! So long, Badge #177 … we shall never forget you.
The "gentle giant" wanted to extend his sincere thanks to the health care professionals and volunteers who provided such loving care during his most recent hospital stay.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, Jan. 23, at 11 a.m. at Cremation & Funeral Gallery, followed by a reception at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 2216 Grand Ave.
Should family for friends desire, memorials are suggested to RiverStone Hospice, 123 S. 27th St., Billings, MT 59101 or the Frontier Cancer Center, 1315 Golden Valley Circle, Billings, MT 59102.
Arrangements are by Cremation & Funeral Gallery.
Ralph Irvin Guy, 83, passed peacefully of lung cancer at home in Billings.
He was born the eldest son of Fred and Katharine (Carroll) Guy in Merino, Mont. He was joined by siblings Ruth, Al, Shirley and baby sister Andrea. After attending elementary school in Joplin, Mont., the family moved to the Fort Benton area, where Ralph completed his education, graduating from Fort Benton High School in 1946.
Ralph enlisted in the Army Air Corps on Oct. 3, 1946, serving in the 3345th Maintenance Squadron as an airplane and engine mechanic. During this period of service, Ralph achieved the rank of sergeant and earned the World War II Victory Medal as well as the Germany Occupational Medal, spending most of his time in Fassberg, Germany (during the Berlin Airlift).
Honorably discharged from military service on March 25, 1949, at Chanute Air Force Base, Ralph was drafted back into active duty on May 18, 1949, serving in the 343rd Bombardment Squadron and the 98th Bombardment Wing during the Korean War and earning the Korean Service Medal. Ralph was again honorably discharged on Aug. 26, 1951, at Fairchild Air Force Base, ending his military service. During his time in both conflicts, Ralph was a proficient photographer, leaving his family a priceless gift of wartime photos. As a result of his time in the military, Ralph was a lifetime member of the VFW.
Returning to the United States, Ralph was employed by Northwest Airlines until 1954 before beginning a 21-year career with the Montana Highway Patrol. Ralph served first as a driver's examiner in Great Falls, ultimately transferring to the traffic division in Billings in 1959. Ralph proudly retired from MHP in 1976.
Married to Ruth Marilyn Beaver in October of 1956, the family increased with the births of son Bob and daughter Sherry. His children fondly remember Ralph's addiction to the color yellow and his avid, lifelong appreciation for the American automobile. Ralph left the State of Montana in the early 1980s and was employed as a truck driver for Convoy Trucking in California. (Ralph telling his children, after leaving the Highway Patrol, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!")
While in California, Ralph met and fell in love with Brenda Elam, marrying her on Nov. 12, 1994. Brenda joined Ralph in Montana, where he spent the remainder of his life in her company, first in Joliet (where many an evening involved playing Kismet with buddies Ron and Thelma Woody), with a final return to Billings in 2011.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; brother Al; sisters Ruth (Steinbacher) and Shirley (Sweeney); sister-in-law Elaine Reynolds; mother-in-law Fairena Goldstein; and his former father-in-law Hiram Beaver.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Brenda; "baby sister" Andy; son Bob (Diane) Guy; daughter Sherry; stepsons John and Robbie Skinner; first wife Marilyn Freitag; grandchildren Brianne Chapman, Ahlexa Lofing, Chance and Hayley Guy, Eugene, Dayton and (south) Dakota Skinner; beloved nephews Fred Steinbacher, Mark and Mike Guy; and three great-grandchildren; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Also mourning his passing is Ralph's faithful bewhiskered companion, Ava.
Dad loved old cars, planes and tractors, and would rattle off make, model and year of any built up through the ‘70s. He was always fixing something, cars, clocks, watches … you name it! After, of course, we helped him find the piece that fell and rolled to "why me" land. There was only one place to go campin' and fishin' on earth, Emerald Lake. (Why mess with success). He always said, "You have to keep your sense of humor." He exercised daily, starting usually with reading the comics out loud. Dad was 5 foot, 15, not 6 foot 3, if asked. He was never shy about getting out his trusty guitar and launching into his favorite folk song, he could sing with the best of them. He loved music and his "steel trap mind" could recall any of the oldies but goodies. He kept his sense of humor through it all, and when asked his birth date he would say, "That's easy, two nine two nine." So it should be no surprise that if you add up the date and year of his passing you get "two nine" — aw, he got us again! So long, Badge #177 … we shall never forget you.
The "gentle giant" wanted to extend his sincere thanks to the health care professionals and volunteers who provided such loving care during his most recent hospital stay.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, Jan. 23, at 11 a.m. at Cremation & Funeral Gallery, followed by a reception at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 2216 Grand Ave.
Should family for friends desire, memorials are suggested to RiverStone Hospice, 123 S. 27th St., Billings, MT 59101 or the Frontier Cancer Center, 1315 Golden Valley Circle, Billings, MT 59102.
Arrangements are by Cremation & Funeral Gallery.
He was born the eldest son of Fred and Katharine (Carroll) Guy in Merino, Mont. He was joined by siblings Ruth, Al, Shirley and baby sister Andrea. After attending elementary school in Joplin, Mont., the family moved to the Fort Benton area, where Ralph completed his education, graduating from Fort Benton High School in 1946.
Ralph enlisted in the Army Air Corps on Oct. 3, 1946, serving in the 3345th Maintenance Squadron as an airplane and engine mechanic. During this period of service, Ralph achieved the rank of sergeant and earned the World War II Victory Medal as well as the Germany Occupational Medal, spending most of his time in Fassberg, Germany (during the Berlin Airlift).
Honorably discharged from military service on March 25, 1949, at Chanute Air Force Base, Ralph was drafted back into active duty on May 18, 1949, serving in the 343rd Bombardment Squadron and the 98th Bombardment Wing during the Korean War and earning the Korean Service Medal. Ralph was again honorably discharged on Aug. 26, 1951, at Fairchild Air Force Base, ending his military service. During his time in both conflicts, Ralph was a proficient photographer, leaving his family a priceless gift of wartime photos. As a result of his time in the military, Ralph was a lifetime member of the VFW.
Returning to the United States, Ralph was employed by Northwest Airlines until 1954 before beginning a 21-year career with the Montana Highway Patrol. Ralph served first as a driver's examiner in Great Falls, ultimately transferring to the traffic division in Billings in 1959. Ralph proudly retired from MHP in 1976.
Married to Ruth Marilyn Beaver in October of 1956, the family increased with the births of son Bob and daughter Sherry. His children fondly remember Ralph's addiction to the color yellow and his avid, lifelong appreciation for the American automobile. Ralph left the State of Montana in the early 1980s and was employed as a truck driver for Convoy Trucking in California. (Ralph telling his children, after leaving the Highway Patrol, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!")
While in California, Ralph met and fell in love with Brenda Elam, marrying her on Nov. 12, 1994. Brenda joined Ralph in Montana, where he spent the remainder of his life in her company, first in Joliet (where many an evening involved playing Kismet with buddies Ron and Thelma Woody), with a final return to Billings in 2011.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; brother Al; sisters Ruth (Steinbacher) and Shirley (Sweeney); sister-in-law Elaine Reynolds; mother-in-law Fairena Goldstein; and his former father-in-law Hiram Beaver.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Brenda; "baby sister" Andy; son Bob (Diane) Guy; daughter Sherry; stepsons John and Robbie Skinner; first wife Marilyn Freitag; grandchildren Brianne Chapman, Ahlexa Lofing, Chance and Hayley Guy, Eugene, Dayton and (south) Dakota Skinner; beloved nephews Fred Steinbacher, Mark and Mike Guy; and three great-grandchildren; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Also mourning his passing is Ralph's faithful bewhiskered companion, Ava.
Dad loved old cars, planes and tractors, and would rattle off make, model and year of any built up through the ‘70s. He was always fixing something, cars, clocks, watches … you name it! After, of course, we helped him find the piece that fell and rolled to "why me" land. There was only one place to go campin' and fishin' on earth, Emerald Lake. (Why mess with success). He always said, "You have to keep your sense of humor." He exercised daily, starting usually with reading the comics out loud. Dad was 5 foot, 15, not 6 foot 3, if asked. He was never shy about getting out his trusty guitar and launching into his favorite folk song, he could sing with the best of them. He loved music and his "steel trap mind" could recall any of the oldies but goodies. He kept his sense of humor through it all, and when asked his birth date he would say, "That's easy, two nine two nine." So it should be no surprise that if you add up the date and year of his passing you get "two nine" — aw, he got us again! So long, Badge #177 … we shall never forget you.
The "gentle giant" wanted to extend his sincere thanks to the health care professionals and volunteers who provided such loving care during his most recent hospital stay.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, Jan. 23, at 11 a.m. at Cremation & Funeral Gallery, followed by a reception at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 2216 Grand Ave.
Should family for friends desire, memorials are suggested to RiverStone Hospice, 123 S. 27th St., Billings, MT 59101 or the Frontier Cancer Center, 1315 Golden Valley Circle, Billings, MT 59102.
Arrangements are by Cremation & Funeral Gallery.
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