Ralph Jefferson Sturkey, Jr.

Mr. Ralph Jefferson Sturkey, Jr. 95, died in his home in Salisbury on August 6, 2012. Mr. Sturkey was born on July 15, 1917 in Plum Branch, SC to the late Ralph Jefferson and Lucille Humphreys Sturkey. He was preceded in death by brothers Lawrence H. Sturkey of Charlotte, NC and Charles E. Sturkey of Rock Hill, SC. Mr. Sturkey graduated from McCormick High School, McCormick, SC, Class of 1934. After receiving his degree in Economics and Business Administration, he graduated from Catawba College in 1939. He then enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and after completing Officer Candidate School in Quantico, VA, he received his commission in August 1942. As a Marine Officer, he served with distinction as a staff adjutant to the Chief of Staff for Lieutenant General Keller E. Rockey, 5th Headquarters Battalion, 5th Marine Division where he participated in the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa before serving with the Third Amphibious Corps during the occupation of Chingtao and Tientsin, Northern China. After WWII, Mr. Sturkey joined A.B. Dick, an office equipment company in Chicago, Illinois in 1945 as an Employee Relations Manager. While at A.B. Dick, Mr. Sturkey participated in numerous professional development courses at Harvard University and ascended up to the position of Vice President, Human Resources before his retirement in 1972. After spending 22 years in Mt. Dora, Florida as a private investor and then retiree, Mr. Sturkey returned to Salisbury in 2004. He was a Charter Member of the Men’s Golden Rule Sunday School Class, First United Methodist Church, Salisbury. Mr. Sturkey is survived by his beloved wife of 28 years, Eloise Suenkel Tanis Sturkey of Hermann, Missouri; sisters Margaret Chandler of Oak Ridge, TN., and Mary Ann Greenland of Salisbury; an extremely devoted and caring niece, Lyn Sturkey Seymour and husband Wayne of Eden, NC; and seven nephews, four nieces, three step-grandchildren, five grandchildren and three-great grandchildren. The family would like to express a profound debt of gratitude to Mr. Sturkey’s caregiver team who allowed him to remain in his home at Trinity Oaks and lead a full, dignified life. Many thanks are expressed to Dr. Brent Siefert, Sheila Sherrill, Melvia Misenheimer, Sue Cress, Denise Sutton,Rhonda Moody, Ann Horton,Teresa Jackson, Betty Price, Karen McRae, Emma Ingram, Ranae Fletcher. The Sturkey family would like to pay tribute and acknowledge the love and support of some special friends: John and Esther Fisher, Bud and Virginia Nash, Mark and Barbara Perry, and COL Doug and Leslie Black. The family would also like to convey their sinciere appreciation to the devoted and caring group of professionals at Home Instead Senior Care; Maxim Healthcare Services; and Hospice and Palliative Care Ceneter of Rowan County. The family will receive friends from 6-7:30 PM Thursday (Aug 9) at Summersett Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held Friday (Aug 10) at 11 AM at First United Methodist Church, conducted by Rev. Steve Haines, Minister of First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at City Memorial Park with military honors being conducted by the Rowan County Veteran Honor Guard and the Marine Corp Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, New Building Fund, 217 S. Church St., Salisbury, NC 28144 or The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, 3800 Fettler Park Dr., Suite 104, Dumfries, VAQ 22025. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Sturkey family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

Ralph Jefferson Sturkey, Jr.

July 15, 1917 - August 6, 2012