Ralph Crain

(From Parker Mortuary)

Ralph Dean Crain, 87, of Joplin, passed away Monday, January 11, 2021, at his home with family by his side.

Ralph was born April 7, 1933 in Turley, Oklahoma to the union of Eugene and Flossie (Pennington) Crain. 

 Ralph believed in the Lord and served as a preacher in the ministry for 10 years. He also worked for the Missouri Department of Transportation as credit union manager for nearly 20 years, retiring in 1996. Following retirement, he decided he wasn’t quite finished working and joined the Joplin School District as a bus driver – a job he really enjoyed. Ralph loved all aspects of softball – coaching, playing and umpiring – and he and his family made many great memories together on the fields.

On February 19, 1955, Ralph was united in marriage to Patti “Pat” Finch and together they shared nearly 66 years. She survives of the home.

Additional survivors include their son, Dean Crain, of Houston, Texas; four daughters, Terri Foglesong of Joplin, Diane Walkenshaw and husband, Steve, of Carl Junction, Sandi Collins and husband, Bryan, of Joplin, and Julie Byers and husband, Brad, of Joplin; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Carolyn Fisher and husband, Ted, and Marie Howell and husband, Jim; as well as a host of extended family and friends.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Gene and Flossie Crain; two brothers, Bob and Leon Crain; a sister, Mary Ellen Hanson; and a granddaughter, Kelli Foglesong.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 14, 2021 at Osborne Memorial Cemetery in Joplin with his grandson, Ty Walkenshaw, and Pastor B.A. Austin officiating. Those honoring his life by serving as pallbearers are his grandsons, Tyler Byers, Ryan Byers, Craig Walkenshaw, Matt Foglesong, Tony Foglesong, and Josh Collins with Kayden Byers and Kyle Byers as honorary pallbearers. The family will receive friends for visitation from 5-7:00 p.m. Wednesday in the chapel of Parker Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Cookson Hills Christian Ministries, 60416 Highway 10, Kansas, OK 74347.