Ralph D. Crago

     Ralph Dempsey Crago, 96, of Swansea, Illinois, born Friday, September 15, 1923 in Chillicothe, Ohio, peacefully entered his heavenly home on Friday, July 3, 2020 at home in Swansea. He was the son of Arthur H. Crago and Carrie B. nee Dempsey of Chillicothe, Ohio. He had a long, happy marriage of 63 years to Edith Mae McKean from Warren, Ohio.

     Ralph was a veteran of three wars, WWII, Korea, & Viet Nam. He served as a pilot in the Army Air Corps and later in the United States Air Force. He remained in the Reserves after WWII and when called back to serve during Korea, he decided to become a career officer in the USAF. He spent his Air Force career in Air Weather Service serving in Nashville & Knoxville Tennessee; Anderson AFB, Guam; Offutt AFB, Nebraska; USAFE headquarters, Wiesbaden, Germany; and Scott AFB, Illinois. While stationed on Guam, a major part of his job was to fly WB-50’s into typhoons to gather weather data, many times flying home on a “wing and a prayer”. He retired in 1968 as a Lieutenant Colonel. After his military career, he was employed as a vocational rehabilitation counselor for the State of Missouri for 17 years.

     Ralph was a graduate of Centralia High School in Chillicothe, Ohio. He was the last surviving graduate of the Class of 1941. He attended The Ohio State University for 3 1/2 years when he was called back to serve during Korea. He completed his Bachelors in Mathematics at Maryville College in Tennessee and later received a Master’s in Guidance Counseling from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

     He was a life-long Methodist and a member of Union United Methodist Church in Belleville, IL. He served alongside his wife as Sunday School superintendent and Youth group leader in multiple churches and was active on many Boards and committees within the church. He was a member of the American Legion, VFW, and Retired Officer’s Association.

     Ralph was a farm-boy at heart, an avid reader, rarely missed an Ohio State football game, and loved being with his family. Though very quiet in nature, even until his last days, he was quick to provide sage advice to his sister, children, and grandchildren. One of his Air Force ER’s stated that “when Ralph speaks… you better listen.”

     He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and his brother, Arthur Gene Crago. He is survived by his sister, June C. Ginther of Chillicothe, Ohio; his children: Carrie D. Crago of Swansea, Ill., and Ralph D. (Jill) Crago, Jr. of Gilbert, Arizona; his grandchildren: Claire, William, Vincent, Emily, Libbi, and Shaelani Crago and numerous nieces and nephews.

     A memorial service will be held Monday, July 13, 2020 at the Kurrus Funeral Home, in Belleville, Illinois where visitation will be from 11- 1 p.m.

     A graveside service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, July 16, 2020 in Grandview Cemetery, Chillicothe, Ohio with Pastor Chris Brown officiating.  Local arrangements are under the direction of the WARE FUNERAL HOME. 

     In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Wounded Warrior Project (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org) or to Crouse Chapel United Methodist Church PO Box 386 Kingston, Ohio 45644.

     You may sign his online register at www.warefh.com

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