The memory of Ralph will forever be with us.

Ralph Hilson Stevens quietly passed away on December 30, 2021. He is survived by his wife; Janet Goodspeed Stevens, daughters; Debee King and husband Allen, Julie Cheves and husband Ron, Susan Stevens, and Pamela Ridge; his son; Scott Stevens and wife Suzzette. He is also survived by his brother Theodore Stevens and predeceased by his brother Dale Stevens.

He is also survived by 11 grandchildren; Stacy King, Nick Cheves, Jessica Yocum, Robert (Bubba) Horseman, Megan Gerhinger, Natalie Ridge, Nelson Stevens, Grace Ward, RJ Stevens, John Stevens, Andrew Stevens, and 12 great-grandchildren.

Born on April 26,1934, to the late Harold and Annie Stevens, Ralph grew up in Nova Scotia, Canada with his two brothers. He attended Horton Academy where he lettered in football and hockey.  In February of 1954, he married his high school sweetheart, Janet Goodspeed and together, they had five children.

In 1961, he moved his family from Nova Scotia to Florida to start a life in the US.  Eventually landing in High Point, NC, he worked as a Quality Control manager for Hatteras Yachts and relished every summer with his family and friends, camping on Lake Norman. His love for camping and the outdoors inspired Ralph to search for a campground to call his own.

In 1971, at the young age of 37, he purchased a 125 acre farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.  With his family by his side; a positive attitude coupled with skills and tenacity, he began to build his dream.  Before he was finished, he carved out over 200 campsites, a four acre pond, and many other amenities for families to relax or have fun enjoying time together, just as his family had.

For 30 years, he devoted his life to RJ Ranch before selling in 2001.  Over those years, he witnessed children mature into adults, singles become couples, weddings, receptions, births, family reunions and also company gatherings.  Memorable events made possible because Ralph had a dream.

During his time in Virginia, Ralph became a member of the Roanoke Kazim Shrine Temple.  He donated his time raising funds for the Shriners hospitals for children and helping families he had never met. He truly enjoyed working for such a good cause and gained many friends in the process.

Retirement didn't deter Ralph from being productive.  Behind his home and geared with heavy equipment, he cleared debris from two streams, built a dam, a small pond and a two story garage with a workshop that he called his "barn". He enjoyed mowing his lawn and designing wooden art from trees & stumps he found while excavating. Together, he and Jan enjoyed many leisurely strolls alongside the winding streams on their property. He stayed in perpetual motion well into his 80s.

Ralph loved his family and enjoyed time with his friends.  He greeted every day with a positive attitude, the happiest upbeat whistle, a smile on his face and a warm greeting to anyone he met. Ralph touched so many lives and will forever be missed. Heaven has gained an angel.

https://www.forevermissed.com/ralph-stevens/about

A memorial service will be held at a later date.