Ralph Cecil Thode, 90, of Lawton, OK, formerly of South Hutchinson, died November 17, 2020, at The Brentwood Senior Living, Lawton, OK. He was born March 27, 1930, in rural Plevna, to Albert Daniel and Thelma Elnora (Drake) Thode.
Ralph was a 1948 graduate of Plevna High School, Plevna, and 1966 graduate of Sterling College, Sterling. He was a member of Chi Sigma Theta. Ralph was an elementary and middle school teacher, and a college instructor. In 1972, he was awarded the Outstanding Elementary Teacher Award. Ralph also farmed, served in the United States Naval Reserve, excavated archeological sites for Plateau Science and the Smithsonian Institute, and co-owned Westwind Productions Photography.
On June 3, 1951, he married Muriel Ruth Hill at the Huntsville Methodist Church, Huntsville, KS. They shared over 68 years of marriage, prior to her death on December 2, 2019.
Ralph is survived by children, Alan Thode of Lawton, OK, Andrew Thode of Hutchinson, and Arlis (Daryl) Schmaltz of Gallup, NM; 6 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; and brother, Larry Thode of Hutchinson.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Muriel Thode; infant son, Joel Thode; daughter, Ann Bearden; and brothers, Estel Thode and Edward Thode.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Mennonite Friendship Communities (formerly The Mennonite Manor), South Hutchinson, in care of Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.