Rala Singh |
| Posted 2009-11-26 by Judy Wight Branson |
| The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona Saturday, January 4, 2003 Rala Singh, 97, passed away on January 1, 2003. Visitation at Chapel of the Chimes Mortuary, 7924 North 59th Avenue, Glendale from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, January 6. Funeral services at All Saints Episcopal Church, 6300 N. Central Avenue, Tuesday, January 7 at 11:00 a.m. Contributions in Rala Singh's memory may be made to the downtown YMCA, 350 North 1st Avenue, Phoenix, Az., 85003. ---------------------------- The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona Saturday, January 4, 2003 Rala Singh, 97, died peacefully on January 1, 2003 after a productive and vigorous life. He truly lived the American dream and leaves a great legacy to the many generations of family, friends, business associates and charitable organizations who enjoyed his company and support. Rala loved farming. In 1922, he left a tiny village in the Punjab region of India and came to the United States with $126 in his pockets. After living in Detroit and working farms in California, he came to Arizona in 1935 and started his business by renting 40 acres for $700. Singh Farms grew to 800 employees and over 1600 acres in Maricopa County. The business also farmed produce in Colorado, California and New Mexico. The best watermelons across the United States were always from Rala Singh Farms and a popular T-shirt for generations of many Phoenix families proclaims "The King of Melons is a RalaMelon". Rala loved America. He became a naturalized citizen in 1947 and sponsored over 19 members of his extended family to come to the US. Rala always felt the main ingredient of his success was the friendship and advice given to him by American business people in his new country. In 1981, he said "I deeply appreciate the American people. They will stay in my heart until I am gone from this world." Rala loved the YMCA and his friends in the Early Birds. He was proud of exercising every morning then having breakfast and telling stories afterwards with his friends. He was a member for over 50 years. Rala lived a life full of God's praise. He always wore his Sikh bracelet and remembered the precepts of peace and tolerance taught to him as a young man in India. Rala also embraced the Episcopal faith. A long-time member of Trinity Cathedral, he was a generous and active congregant. Though his friends and relatives mourn his death and will miss him terribly, Rala would say "God has been very good to me and I thank him for my wonderful life." We know he is happily distributing his best produce with a laugh and a smile from the trunk of his heavenly Cadillac. Visitation at Chapel of the Chimes Mortuary, 7924 North 59th Avenue, Glendale from 5 pm to 8 pm on Monday, January 6. Funeral services at All Saints Episcopal Church, 6300 N. Central Avenue, Tuesday, January 7 at 11:00 a.m. Contributions in Rala Singh's memory may be made to the downtown YMCA, 350 North 1st Avenue, Phoenix, 85003 or to the Trinity Episcopal Church Organ Restoration Fund, 100 W. Roosevelt, Phoenix, AZ., 85003 |
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