Ralph E. Oldfield, age 91, entered into rest March 14, 2018 at Sun Terrace Assisted Living in Prosser, WA. He was born January 17, 1927 at Whitstran, WA to George and Hazel (Howard) Oldfield and was raised and educated in Toppenish, Granger and Grandview. Ralph’s first job was bucking water for a threshing crew at the age of 8. Ralph served in the U.S. Army from 18 April 1945 to 19 December 1946. He was in basic training when WWII ended and then served 11 months on Okinawa earning the Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, and Army of Occupation Medal (Japan). Before and after his military service, Ralph worked as a warehouseman for various companies in the Yakima Valley.
Ralph and Sylvia “Lucille” Myers were married April 24, 1948 in Toppenish. They lived in Toppenish, Sunnyside and Pasco before moving to Outlook in October 1956. When Ralph’s job at Marathon Paper Company became seasonal, he enrolled in the Moeler Barber School in Yakima, obtained his barber’s license, and then operated a barber shop in Granger for one year. In June 1959, Ralph and Lucille moved their family to Prosser where he owned and operated Ralph’s Barber Shop until retiring in 1997 and renting out the shop. Even after Ralph officially retired, he continued to cut hair for shut-ins, nursing home residents, and hospital patients for many more years.
Ralph was an active member of the Prosser United Methodist Church for 58 years and volunteered with numerous organizations in the community including HoBS, Jubilee Ministries and Boy Scouts. Ralph was honored by the Prosser Chamber of Commerce as the Prosser Volunteer of the Year for 2001. He was also recognized for his community service by the Walnut Grove Nursing Home in 1997, The Pacific Northwest District of Kiwanis 2002, the Buena Vista Grange in 2007, the Prosser United Methodist Women, and the Prosser Chamber of Commerce Float Committee.
Ralph and Lucille were avid square dancers as members of the Goofer Hoofers, Rhythm Rounders, Lower Valley Square Dancers and served as advisors for the Teen Twirlers. Square dancing provided them with friends near and far. They traveled to Europe and Australia as well as throughout the U.S. by RV after retiring usually finding a square dance along the way.
Ralph is survived by his sons Randy of Newport and Timothy and wife Catherine of Chelan; his daughter Janet Church and husband Allan of Sierra Vista, AZ; 3 grandchildren, Shara Forrister and husband John, Andrew Church, and Shayne Oldfield and wife Deb; 4 great-grandchildren; and his wonderful extended family.
Ralph was preceded in death by Lucille, his beloved wife of 65 years, in 2013, his youngest son Gary in 2008, his parents, his brothers Walter and James Gale, and sisters Dorothy McLavey, Phyllis Williamson, and Alyce Oldfield.
The Oldfield family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff of Sun Terrace Assisted Living and Heartlinks Hospice for their loving care of Ralph.
A celebration of Ralph’s life will be held on April 7, 2018 at 11am at the Prosser United Methodist Church. Burial will precede the service at 10am at the Prosser Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Prosser United Methodist Church, Heartlinks Hospice, Jubilee Ministries, Alzheimer's Research Association, or a charity of individual choice. You may leave a message for the family at www.prosserfuneralhome.com