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James ‘Ralph’ Sloane passed away peacefully after a valiant and lengthy battle with illness, at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre on Sunday, June 11, 2017 at the age of 78 years.

Born in Bassano, Alberta on August 27th, 1938, Ralph was the middle child of five brothers raised on a farm near Scandia, a place of many fond memories on the beautiful southern Alberta prairie. Ralph married his life’s love and partner, Beverley (“Bev”) Ledene, fifty-eight years ago. Together they raised four children in a loving family that grew through the years to include eight grand children and four great grand children. He was a dedicated and caring family man, shaping in so many meaningful ways the lives of those that called him “Dad” or “Grandpa”. His pride in his family was known and felt deeply.

Besides his joy of family, Ralph had other passions that lit up his life. He had a genuine curiosity and enjoyment of others with a noticeable talent for making people feel special whether he’d just met them or known them forever. A lifelong drummer, he may have been happiest of all playing music with his friends for an adoring audience of dancers. If you ever had the chance to play a round of golf, have a game of horseshoes, curl a few ends to the last rock or share a stiff drink of rum with him, then you will know without a doubt that he excelled at those things too.

Ralph worked hard at everything, with a consistent penchant for quality. He worked a 38 year career for one company, beginning as a young energetic power lineman with Calgary Power. He spent most of his later years in marketing, ending his career using his people talents as a liaison between TransAlta and the Alberta farmers. Though loyally dedicated to his day job, the work he loved most included fixing one of the many cars, houses and yards that he crafted to perfection over the years. He was often most satisfied when his labours meant that he was working with his hands and mind together, digging dirt or grease out from under his fingernails at the end of the day.

Ralph was raised by his mother Fay Sloane and his father James Alfred Sloane. Ralph will be lovingly remembered by his wife Bev; daughters Susan Sloane of Edmonton, Pamela Ropcean (Jason Ropcean) of Medicine Hat, Jill McAlary (Richard McAlary) of Calgary and his son James Sloane (Karen Leadbeater) of Calgary; his grandchildren Sarah King (Darren King) of Lacombe, Kalyn Ogle (Tyler Ogle) of Lethbridge, Calvin McAlary of Calgary, Emma McAlary of Calgary, Ethan Ropcean of Medicine Hat, Rhiana McAlary of Calgary, Abigail Sloane of Calgary and Emmett Sloane of Calgary; and his great grandchildren Liam, Samuel, and Andrew King of Lacombe, and Benjamin Ogle of Lethbridge. He will also be sadly missed by his brothers Bryce Sloane of Kelowna, Terance (“Terry”) Sloane of Calgary, and Kenneth (“Ken”) Sloane of Lethbridge. Ralph was predeceased by his youngest brother Melvin D. Sloane of Red Deer.

Those wishing to pay their respects can attend a viewing between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m., prior to the Funeral Service. Please join us for the Funeral Service at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 40 Holmes Street, Red Deer, Alberta on Monday June 19, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. A Family Interment will take place at a later date. If desired memorial donations in Ralph’s honour may be made directly to Cystic Fibrosis Canada, 2323 Yonge Street, Suite 800, Toronto, Ontario, M4P 2C9 or online at cf.donorportal.ca.