Ralph Allison, 88
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 14 years, 3 months AGO
Ralph Douglas Allison, 88, of Coeur d’Alene, began a new adventure on June 14, 2012.
Ralph was born in Spokane on Feb. 23, 1924, to George Edward Allison and Olive Emma Zinkgraf. Ralph grew up in Spokane and attended Libby Junior High School, North Central High School and Lewis and Clark High School. Ralph continued his education as an adult through correspondence courses in a variety of subjects, including electronic fundamentals.
Ralph enlisted in the Army on Oct. 16, 1942, and served his country honorably and with valor in World War II until he was discharged on Dec. 28, 1945. He was stationed in the Philippines with Battery B 116th Field Artillery 31st Infantry Division where he performed the duties of a truck driver with military qualifications as a marksman and sharpshooter.
Ralph became a husband and the stepfather of four children when he married P. Maxine (Henderson) Lear on Dec. 26, 1957, in Spokane.
He worked as a printer and compositor at various newspapers, including the Tri-County Tribune in Deer Park, Wash.; the Herald in Moses Lake, Wash.; and The Coeur d’Alene Press, where he retired in the late 1980s. Ralph also owned and operated his own print shop (Clipper Printing) during the 1970s and ’80s.
Ralph was a kind and loving person — truly a gentle man. He was always available to listen without judgment to whatever anyone wanted to tell him.
He knew how to accept life’s most adverse situations without complaint. He always put the needs and desires of others ahead of his own. And he had a great sense of humor. He will be missed by many.
Ralph is survived by stepdaughters, Wanda Foryan and June Lear, both of Moses Lake; stepson Lee Lear of Knoxville, Tenn.; daughter Olive Allison and son-in-law Edward Lockwood of Worley; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
A service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 20, 2012, at Yates Funeral Home in Coeur d’Alene. Viewing/visitation begins at 9 a.m. Please visit Ralph’s memorial and sign his online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.