Ralph Lee Masters

Ralph Lee Masters was born July 20, 1928, at Kansas City, Kansas. He was the son of Edgar Louis and May Mary (Bedsaul) Masters. Ralph was a near lifelong Kansas City, Kansas resident. He had previously lived in Louisburg, Kansas and Branson, Missouri. He moved to Ottawa, in Franklin County, Kansas, in 2003, where he made his home, until his death Tuesday, April 8, 2003, at the age of seventy-four years. From 1956 to 1958, he was an over-the-road truck driver. In 1958, he became employed by Johnson County Parks & Recreation, where he worked twelve years as a foreman at Shawnee Mission Park. He was also employed as a carpenter for J.E. Dunn in Kansas City, Kansas. Mr. Masters served in the United States Army during the Korean War, from December of 1950 to September of 1956, obtaining the rank of Corporal. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Louisburg, and the American Legion. Ralph was an established carpenter by trade, leaving his expertise in many landmarks in Kansas and Missouri, including a church in Paola, Kansas, and hotels in Branson, Missouri. In addition to carpentry, he was an avid fisherman, greatly enjoying the outdoors. He was united in marriage with Grace Irene Forgey. They were later divorced. Ralph is survived by his daughter, Roseanna Wilson of Ottawa, Kansas; son, Gordon Masters of Aventura, Florida; special friend, Mildred Noel of La Cygne, Kansas; two brothers, Charles Masters of Dearborn, Missouri, John Masters of Kansas City, Kansas; eight sisters, Virginia Altis of Overland Park, Kansas, Pearl Rolf of Kansas City, Missouri, Joyce Bonnett of Kansas City, Missouri, Carol Lenhart of Kansas City, Missouri, Nonia Perkins of Oregon, Rose Mary Sharp of Oklahoma, Arlene Masters of Silver Lake, Kansas, Darlene Masters of Silver Lake, Kansas; two granddaughters, Misty Grace Masters of Denver, Colorado, Kassi Marie Rex of Ottawa, Kansas; and, two grandsons, Dustin Wayne Steinhauser of Kansas City, Missouri, Alexander Samuel Rex of Ottawa, Kansas. He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Floyd Masters; sister, Louise Peters; and, first wife, Grace Irene Masters-Hughes. SERVICES: Funeral services will be held from the Dengel & Son Mortuary 10:00 a.m. Thursday, April 10, 2003. OFFICIATING CLERGY: Pastor Don Cunningham. IN STATE: Mr. Masters will lie in state at the Dengel & Son Mortuary after 4:00 p.m. Wednesday to the service hour, where the family will meet with friends 6:30 to 7:30 Wednesday evening. CEMETERY: Graveside services and flag presentation by Ft. Leavenworth Military Funeral Honors Team 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10, 2003, Leavenworth National Cemetery. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorials to Midland Hospice, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through www.dengelmortuary.com.