Ralph Kier Crockett

Ralph Kier Crockett, 91, a long-time resident of Lyons, Kansas, passed away August 7, 2021 in Denver, CO after a long illness. Ralph was born February 19, 1930, on a farm near Gentry, MO. He was the fifth of eight children born to Oliver Monroe and Stella Beatrice (Kier) Crockett. He attended grade school at the Shockley school near the farm and is a graduate of Albany High School where he played football. After graduating, he worked in St. Joe and attended Maryville College for a short time. He was drafted into the US Army and served two and a half years, which included time overseas in the Korean War. He was awarded a Commendation Medal for meritorious service. On September 5, 1952, he married Marsha M. Murray. They moved to Lyons, Kansas in 1954, where Ralph worked as a mechanic for Bay Petroleum in Chase, KS. They were lifelong members of the First Christian Church in Lyons. Ralph worked for many years at what is now the Kinder Morgan compressor station near Alden. His work took him around Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Iowa, and the Gulf Coast. Always a dedicated family man, Ralph’s interests included hunting, football, car and engine maintenance, and farming. He had many vacations with family in Kansas City, the Ozarks, Nebraska, and California. He and Marsha were drawn back to Albany, MO for many occasions and enjoyed class reunions and lifelong friendships there. Ralph is survived by his daughter, Gayle Crockett of Denver; brother, Olen Crockett of Denver; and sister, Nadyne Parman and husband Don of West Lafayette, Indiana. Ralph was preceded in death by his beloved wife Marsha in 2014; his parents; and siblings, Eldon, Velma, Ruth, Robert, and Arlene. Funeral service will be at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, August 21, 2021, at the First Christian Church, Lyons with Pastor Thom Scott officiating. All are invited to a lunch at the church following the service. Burial will be at 2:00 P.M. at the Lyons Municipal Cemetery with military honors by Ft. Riley Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M., Friday, August 20, 2021, at Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons with family present. Memorials may be given to the First Christian Church, Lyons or the Alzheimer’s Association in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons.

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