1927
Ralph
2014
Ralph Burbridge
January 28, 1927 — November 8, 2014
Ralph Raymond Burbridge, 87, passed away on November 8, 2014, at Saint Luke's Hospice House. Memorial services will be at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, Wesley Chapel, on Friday, November 14 at 1:00 p.m., with visitation to follow at the church. Private inurnment will be held at Johnson County Memorial Gardens. Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at www.johnsoncountychapel.com.
Ralph was born on January 28, 1927 in Kansas City, Mo. to Stanley and Mabel Burbridge. He was a descendant of the Daniel Boone family. He was an Eagle Scout and a Mic-O-Say in the Boy Scouts of America. After graduating from Central High School in 1944, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy Air Corp at the age of 17 and served as an Aviation Ordnanceman on Naval seaplanes. He was a Naval Honor Guard at the end of World War II.
Ralph studied Accounting at the University of Kansas City and LaSalle Extension University, and he graduated from the Central Business College in Downtown Kansas City, Mo. His early working career was in accounting departments at Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Co., General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co.
In 1954, Ralph became the office manager of Waldo Plumbing & Heating Co. and was given the opportunity to purchase the company with a partner in 1963. He also purchased the Neal Harris Heating & Air Conditioning Co. in 1982 and merged the two companies in 1988. He was part owner of Tri-County Products, a beverage distributor, from 1974 to 1983. He retired in 1992 and started a company named BurVetCo, and made wall-mounted displays of military medals, emblems, and awards for WWII veterans.
Ralph was a member of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, Kansas City Breakfast Club, Old Mission Masonic Lodge, American Legion and Mariner/Marlin Seaplane Association. He was a former member of the Village Presbyterian Church for over 50 years. He was a past president of the Executives Association, the Kansas City Breakfast Club, and former Director of the Missouri Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Contractors Association. Ralph was an avid sportsman and outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and bird hunting. He took great pleasure in bowling, traveling, bridge and dancing. He especially enjoyed spending summer weekends at the family home at the Lake of the Ozarks.
Ralph and his wife, the former Helen Marie Alcock, celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary in October 2014, having been married at Southeast Presbyterian Church, Kansas City, Mo. in 1948. He is survived by Helen, daughters Joy Jones (Gary) of Overland Park, KS, Linda Fisher of Louisburg, KS, and son Steve Burbridge (Julia) of Leawood, KS; seven grandchildren, Jenni Jones Miller (Jordan), Ryan Jones, Melissa Fisher Clark (Matt), Natalie Fisher West (Rich), Craig Fisher (Taryn), Lisa Burbridge, and Anna Burbridge; six great-grandchildren, Avery, Harper, Addie, Cate, William, and Mallory; sister-in-law Pat Burbridge and nephew Jeff Burbridge. He was preceded in death by his parents, older brother Jim and nephew Jimmy.
Ralph ("Papa") was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, who will always be remembered for his firm handshake, sense of humor, endearing personality and patriotism.
A special thank-you is extended to the staff at Tallgrass Creek and Saint Luke's Hospice for their excellent care, and especially to his nurse Jessica at Tallgrass and his nurses Erin and Emily at Saint Luke's Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Saint Luke's Hospice House, 3516 Summit, Kansas City, Mo. 64111, or The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, 13720 Roe Avenue, Leawood, KS 66224.
Ralph was born on January 28, 1927 in Kansas City, Mo. to Stanley and Mabel Burbridge. He was a descendant of the Daniel Boone family. He was an Eagle Scout and a Mic-O-Say in the Boy Scouts of America. After graduating from Central High School in 1944, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy Air Corp at the age of 17 and served as an Aviation Ordnanceman on Naval seaplanes. He was a Naval Honor Guard at the end of World War II.
Ralph studied Accounting at the University of Kansas City and LaSalle Extension University, and he graduated from the Central Business College in Downtown Kansas City, Mo. His early working career was in accounting departments at Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Co., General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co.
In 1954, Ralph became the office manager of Waldo Plumbing & Heating Co. and was given the opportunity to purchase the company with a partner in 1963. He also purchased the Neal Harris Heating & Air Conditioning Co. in 1982 and merged the two companies in 1988. He was part owner of Tri-County Products, a beverage distributor, from 1974 to 1983. He retired in 1992 and started a company named BurVetCo, and made wall-mounted displays of military medals, emblems, and awards for WWII veterans.
Ralph was a member of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, Kansas City Breakfast Club, Old Mission Masonic Lodge, American Legion and Mariner/Marlin Seaplane Association. He was a former member of the Village Presbyterian Church for over 50 years. He was a past president of the Executives Association, the Kansas City Breakfast Club, and former Director of the Missouri Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Contractors Association. Ralph was an avid sportsman and outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and bird hunting. He took great pleasure in bowling, traveling, bridge and dancing. He especially enjoyed spending summer weekends at the family home at the Lake of the Ozarks.
Ralph and his wife, the former Helen Marie Alcock, celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary in October 2014, having been married at Southeast Presbyterian Church, Kansas City, Mo. in 1948. He is survived by Helen, daughters Joy Jones (Gary) of Overland Park, KS, Linda Fisher of Louisburg, KS, and son Steve Burbridge (Julia) of Leawood, KS; seven grandchildren, Jenni Jones Miller (Jordan), Ryan Jones, Melissa Fisher Clark (Matt), Natalie Fisher West (Rich), Craig Fisher (Taryn), Lisa Burbridge, and Anna Burbridge; six great-grandchildren, Avery, Harper, Addie, Cate, William, and Mallory; sister-in-law Pat Burbridge and nephew Jeff Burbridge. He was preceded in death by his parents, older brother Jim and nephew Jimmy.
Ralph ("Papa") was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, who will always be remembered for his firm handshake, sense of humor, endearing personality and patriotism.
A special thank-you is extended to the staff at Tallgrass Creek and Saint Luke's Hospice for their excellent care, and especially to his nurse Jessica at Tallgrass and his nurses Erin and Emily at Saint Luke's Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Saint Luke's Hospice House, 3516 Summit, Kansas City, Mo. 64111, or The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, 13720 Roe Avenue, Leawood, KS 66224.
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