Jerald Weldon “Jerry” Ralston (Grandpa) died peacefully at age 86 in Tyler, Texas. Grandpa was born March 1st, 1937 in Wink, Texas to James Thomas Wailon “J.T.” Ralston and Myrtis Estelle Ralston maiden name: Earp. He graduated from Odessa High School in 1956. Grandpa joined the Army that same year. Later he joined the Marine Corps.
On January 6, 1959, Jerry married the love of his life, Virginia Sue Anderson in Lela, Texas. He was ordained to the work of the Gospel Ministry on April 9th, 1961 at Lela Baptist Church. This launched a long career as a pastor and an evangelist that would take him to 13 different churches and 26 different homes. He trained hundreds of lay people in evangelism and won countless more to Christ. He was an evangelist’s evangelist. I’m sure his welcome home party was huge. Grandpa also managed a career as a design draftsman at which he was quite accomplished and sought after. In retirement, Grandpa spent his time researching and documenting his family history.
Jerry’s legacy as a minister is 1 son and 1 grandson ordained for Gospel Ministry, 1 daughter involved in Youth Ministry, 1 granddaughter and 1 grandson employed by Student Ministry Organizations and 1 granddaughter volunteering in a Student Ministry Organization.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, J.T. Ralston and Myrtis Ralston, two sisters, Alice Sandell and Priscilla Poeppel, and one brother, Mike Ralston and his grandson, James William Ralston II.
A Funeral Service will be held Thursday morning, 7/13/2023, to begin at 10:00am, at Bascom United Methodist Church. A visitation will be held Wednesday afternoon at Boren-Conner Funeral Home, in Bullard, from 4:00pm - 6:00pm. Interment will be at Bascom cemetery.
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