RALSTON, Robert Fred

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 04/10/2015 Robert Fred Ralston, 75, died April 5, 2015, peacefully at home of natural causes. He was born Oct. 26, 1939, in Long Beach, Calif. Roberts’s professions and accolades include serving as a lifeguard and ambulance driver in Long beach, Calif.; serving in the U.S. Air Force and receiving an honorable discharge; retiring from the Seal Beach Police Department as a sergeant. He was awarded the Lincoln-Mercury Bell Ringer award in San Diego, Calif., and the title of Grand Master in San Diego, Calif., for Excellence in Automotive Sales. Robert started several businesses to include a car dealership in Wales, England, and a successful landscaping company in Show Low, where he specialized in creating custom water features. Robert established a successful Texas Longhorn cattle ranch with his wife Marilyn from a bare plot of land. Together they were members of the Texas Longhorn Association, Texas Longhorn Breeders of America, New Mexico Texas Longhorn Breeders Association and participated in many shows and events. Robert loved the Lord first and foremost and was very passionate about his wife, Marilyn, his children and grandchildren. He was a skilled outdoors man and loved fishing, camping, hunting and working the land. He will be greatly missed and remembered always by all of the lives he has impacted. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Ralston; his children and their spouses, Eric Dahl (Carolyn Reynolds), Heather Ellis (David Ellis), John Ralston (Elizabeth Harris), Brandt Michaels (Amy Michaels), Shane Sweeten (Jody Sweeten), Scott Sweeten (Lisa Sweeten), Melanie Philbrick (Nick Philbrick) and Paul Sweeten (Alisha Sweeten), and 11 grandchildren. A private graveside ceremony will be held for family and close friends.