Jack L. Ralston

Jack L. Ralston, 97, longtime resident of Pinal County, passed away on October 12, 2013 in Payson, AZ where he had been living and residing for the past 11 years. He was born George Leslie Ralston on July 15, 1916, in Dewey, AZ to George Walter Ralston and Marguerite Clotilda Bonnell. He was nicknamed "Jack Sprat" by his father at birth with the name of "Jack" following him the rest of his life. With a gift of $50 and the OC brand, Jack became a stockman at one month of age. He grew up on various family ranches in the Verde Valley while attending grade school at Cherry, AZ and attending high school at Humbolt, AZ. Having survived the Great Depression and with his ranching career ending, the 1930s brought new jobs. Building stock tanks, roads, mining at the 3500 ft. level in the Jerome mines, surveyor with the Federal GLO team in the Vermillion Cliffs area to finish tying Arizona to the Utah border were only a few of the jobs he mastered to survive the hard times. One of the hardest times he survived was being thrown from a bull at the Payson Rodeo in 1934. He spent 6 months in the hospital and at home recuperating from his injuries. Jack and Snuffy Bochat played guitars and sang on the Prescott radio for quite a while until Jack moved to Show Low to take a job driving a log truck. It was in Show Low where he met Opal Sarah Honea on a double date and it was love at first sight. On September 22, 1939, Opal Sarah said "I do" at the Justice of the Peace in Globe, AZ. The newlyweds moved to the valley in the winter of 1939. Living in Glendale, AZ, he accepted a job with Art Brooks who owned the local Dodge/Plymouth dealership in Eloy, AZ. This move presented untold opportunities for Jack and Opal. Opal opened "Opal’s Beauty Shop," Jack traded a pickup for Eloy Machine Works, started the Santa Cruz Plump Co., Eloy Auto Exchange & Engine Service, and also owned the Daily Engine Service. It was at this time he began his farming career by leasing land owned by Don Trekell Sr. south of Eloy where I-10 passes the gravel pit west of Sunshine Blvd. In his spare time, Jack served as a deputy, became the first Eloy Fire Chief, served on the first Eloy City Council, and he became a charter member of the Eloy Lions Club. In the 1950s, Jack and Opal moved their family to the Maricopa area to farm land bought near the Palo Verde mountains. In Maricopa, Jack served on the Maricopa School Board, helped incorporate Estrella Ginning Co. in 1954, in 1956 he raised Arizona’s first cotton bale, he was also acknowledged by the Arizona Republic newspaper for inventing the Rip Lister, which is still used today in farming circles, and also invented the Ditch Dipper. After many years of flying whenever and wherever he could, he received his Private Pilot’s license on March 12, 1956.
In the 1960s through the 90s, Jack also owned a cattle ranch in Fayettville, Arkansas, and a timber farm in Blevins, Arkansas. During this period of time he also was a Pro-Bass Fisherman and participated in tournaments in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Arizona. At the age of 76, Jack finally retired so he could travel and enjoy his mountain home in Forest Lakes, AZ. In 2002, he moved to Payson, AZ so he could winter in Payson and summer in Forest Lakes.
Survivors include sons, Bob (Suzy) Ralston of Casa Grande, Gary (Molly) Ralston of Arizona City, and daughter, Nancy Karen Warner of Ahwatukee; sister, Tootsie (Sib) Sibley and brother, Ralph Ralston of Casa Grande; nine grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Opal and daughter, Kay Ralston.
The celebration of life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud Memory Gardens in Casa Grande, with Darwin Chandler officiating. Inurnment will be at 3 p.m. in Eloy Memorial Park.
The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Dore Yoxoll our friend and caregiver, and all of the friends and staff at J. Warren Funeral Services & Memorial Gardens.