RALPH HUGHES
Ralph Hughes, 93, longtime Samaria resident, passed away on Wednesday, May 18, 2005, at his home.
Ralph Hughes was born July 26, 1911, in Samaria, Idaho, to David James Hughes and Mary Ann Waldron Hughes. He was the sixth of seven children born to this union: Lewis Waldron Hughes, Leda Hughes Jones, OKell Hughes Burnham, Levi Waldron Hughes, Mary Ann Hughes Towe, and Elizabeth Hughes Ballard.
His father died of appendicitis when he was two. His mother remarried and there were six ore children: Debra Jane Morse Field, Elva Richards Anderson, Edward David Richards, Violet Richards Medley, Henry Richards, and Lovisa Jean Richards Willoby.
October 18, 1932, he married Alice Stocks. They were married in Burley, Idaho, and then he brought her home to the ranch in Samaria. They spent 57 years together. They were sealed for time and all eternity March 6, 1965, in the Los Angeles Temple.
Alice passed away October 4, 1989.
Ralph and Alice had five children: Ilene Janette, Alice Marie, Clarence Ralph, Betty Kay, and Lois JaNeal.
Ralph spent his entire life on the ranch. He was a cowboy, he loved horses, was a good irrigator and he always had a herd of cattle to take care of. He loved to ride in the Samaria Mountains. Ralph, his brother Levi, and his mother ran the ranch together for many years. He loved to tell the story of the Iron Door. In his retirement years he and his wife, Alice, spent many winters in Quartzsite, Arizona. He loved finding rocks and doing lapidary work, making these rocks into beautiful jewelry He loved to show his collection to the family members, Boy Scouts and other people.
He is preceded in death by his mother, father, four brothers and six sisters. Surviving are his children: Ilene (Bob) Durbin of Escondido, California; Marie (Dave) Higley of Samaria; Clarence Hughes of Samaria; Kay (Willard) Higley of Samaria; JaNeal (Philip) Buchanan of Pocatello; 22 grandchildren, 89 great-grandchildren, 60 great-great-grandchildren, 14 other children who joined our family and knew him as grandpa; and two sisters, Mary Towe of Idaho Falls and Elizabeth Ballard of Salt Lake City. Many nieces and nephews also survived him.
Funeral services were held Saturday, May 21, at the Malad LDS Second Ward Chapel. Burial was in the Samaria Cemetery.