 |
Ralph I. Lockhart Oak Ridge, TN QCWA # 32742 |
Ralph Irvine Lockhart, age 77, of Clinton, TN passed away peacefully in his sleep, after a valiant battle with dementia on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. Ralph was born on September 13, 1944, to Colonel Ralph M., and Willa I. Lockhart in Melbourne, FL. Ralph was married to Joann DeVault Lockhart of Louisville, TN for 37 years before she passed on February 18, 2008.
After graduation from Melbourne High School, Ralph went on to complete his education at Florida Institute of Technology.
Ralph served in the United States Navy, the Naval Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve and with the Civil Air Patrol. Ralph worked as a contractor with NASA on the Apollo programs. Ralph moved back to TN and retired with the Department of Energy Y-12 Plant in Oak Ridge.
He was a member of The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union. Ralph was a 32nd. degree Scottish Rite Mason, and a member of the Masonic Lodge of Oak Ridge, TN, and was a member of the The Clinton Amateur Radio Club, The Oak Ridge Radio Club, The Smoky Mountain Amateur Radio Club, and perhaps every radio club in East Tennessee to Virginia where he had a second home dedicated to his amateur radio hobbies known as "The Crow's Nest". Ralph was a lifetime NRA member, and a Lead Fundraiser for United Way where he and his wife JoAnn won many awards and was invited to the United States Capital multiple time for their efforts in charity.
Ralph was known across the globe as WB4CTW as a ham radio operator. There on the radio waves Ralph became a folklore icon for telling dirty jokes, telling awful stories, giving bad advice, and hurting feelings. If you had the pleasure or displeasure of meeting, Ralph, you will never forget him.
Ralph is survived by his niece; Debbie Whitehead; nephew, Douglas DeVault; great-nephews, Nicholas Whitehead, and Andy Whitehead.
The family will honor Ralph with a memorial service at Sherwood Chapel & Memorial Gardens, 3176 Airport Highway, Alcoa, TN 37701, in The Good Shepherd Mausoleum Chapel on June 30, 2022 at 2:00pm, with Rev. Robert Whitehead to officiate the service. Online condolences and fond memories may be shared with the family at www.sherwoodchapel.com