Ralph Bedford

Ralph Olden Bedford passed away at Mercy Hospital in Durango, Colo., September 30, 2011, with his wife and family at his side. He was born February 15,1929, to Emerson and Helen (McBain) Bedford in West Haven, Conn. The family settled in Vista, Calif., where Ralph grew up and attended school. He was a long time rodeo cowboy riding saddle broncs, and was remembered as saying, "There never was a horse that couldn't be rode and never a cowboy that couldn't be throwed."

In 1947 he joined the National Guard and went on to enlist in the United States Air Force. While stationed in Presque Isle, Maine, he met his future bride, Vivian Plummer. Ralph and Vivian were married February 25, 1956, in Vista, Calif., where he worked as a carpenter. The Lord soon blessed them with five children. He was a skilled carpenter who built many exclusive homes and schools in San Diego County, Calif., including the first ever "round school" in Escondido, Calif., that was nicknamed "The Great Pumpkin".

In 1970 the family moved to Oraibi, Ariz., to join the Navajo Gospel Mission, where he used his talents to build churches and life long friendships on the Navajo Reservation. In August of 1980, the family relocated to Bayfield, Colo., where he loved to garden and grow roses. He was an avid fisherman and hunter, and he enjoyed building his own custom rifles. He was a loving and strong family man. We will carry his memories with us forever.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Emerson and Helen Bedford, two brothers James and Douglas Bedford, a sister Barbara Draxton and his son Matthew R. Bedford.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years Vivian Bedford, of Bayfield, sons James (Alma) Bedford of Bayfield, Colo.; and Timothy Bedford of Escondido, Calif.; daughters Susan (Jerry) Armijo of Bayfield; and Janet Arnold of Flatonia, Texas; brothers Robert (Terry) Bedford of Vista, Calif.; and Rae Bedford of Dewey, Ariz..; sisters Irene Charles of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; and Marian Neilsen of Escondido, Calif.; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. His four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren kept him busy and young at heart. After all the pranks that he played on his children and grandchildren, "he was teased that one day we would cremate him and use him for kitty litter!"

Sorry Dad, we are falling short on our promise. We will lay you to rest in a graveside service at Pine River Cemetery in Bayfield, Co. Tuesday, October 4, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. Pastor Scott Kujath will officiate.