James Ronald Ralston

JAMES RONALD RALSTON James Ronald Ralston, 84, of 564 Beaverdam Road, Asheville, died Sunday, May 11, 2008, at St. Joseph Campus, Mission Hospitals. Mr. Ralston was born in Buncombe County and was a son of the late Charlie P. and Marie Calloway Ralston. He was a graduate of Grace High school and served with the Fourth Marine Division during WW II. He was awarded the Purple Heart after being wounded in Saipan enroute to Iwo Jima. He was retired from Akzona (American Enka) where he worked as an electrical engineer. He was a lifelong member of Asbury Memorial United Methodist church and was former Captain of the Beaverdam Volunteer Fire Department. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sarah Virginia Williams Ralston; one daughter, Susan Ralston Bleckley and her husband, Jerry, of Asheville; two granddaughters, Sarah Bleckley and Martha Bleckley; two sisters, Merle Buckner and Gail Bartlett and husband, Ralph; and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church with the Rev. Lisa Hartzog Hannah officiating. Private interment will be at Lewis Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the church fellowship hall immediately following the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Asbury United Methodist Church, 171 Beaverdam Road, Asheville, NC 28804.