Ralph Joseph Foecke

Ralph Joseph Foecke, 76, of Ocean Springs, MS, passed from this life on his 76th birthday, June 27, 2011. He was born in Crofton, NE, on June 27, 1935. After serving 20 years in the US Air Force, he and his wife Shirley retired to Gulfport, MS. He went to college at the University of Southern Mississippi and earned his Bachelor and Master degrees in Education, as well as his Specialist degree. He worked for Job Corps for many years before working at the VA Hospital in both Gulfport and Biloxi. After retiring from the VA, he and Shirley were full time RV-ers, traveling all over the US for more than 10 years. Ralph volunteered with the AARP for many years doing income tax returns. When he and Shirley moved to the Villa Maria in Ocean Springs after Hurricane Katrina, he called Bingo every Wednesday until forced by his illness to stop. He was a member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church and the Ocean Springs Council of the Knights of Columbus. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Martha (Pick); brother, Dennis; and sisters, Irene Goeken and Sister Rhoda (Jeanette). Survivors include his loving wife of over 50 years, Shirley (Legendre); children, Catherine (Jerry) Park of Clayton, NC, Keith (Kimberly Storm) of Bellingham, WA and Lisa (Johnny) Kitchens of Thomson, GA. He also leaves behind a grandson, Patrick; granddaughter, Tasha; great-grandson, Gabriel. He is also survived by brothers, Harold of Paris, FR and Jerome of Dassell, MN; sisters, Mildred (Bob) Cogdill of Dunlap, IA, Genevieve (Hayden) Owens of Ferndale, WI, Delores Lintel of Lincoln, NE, Gerelda (Charles) Tramp of Crofton, NE, Mary Davis of Denver, CO and Barbara (Charles) MacDonald of Germany. He also leaves behind many, many nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, June 30, 2011 at 11:00 am at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Ocean Springs. Friends may visit from 9:30 am until 11:00 am. Burial with full Military Honors will be at the Biloxi National Cemetery. The Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society, 417 Security Square, Gulfport, MS 39507 or the Relay for Life.