Ralph Albert Milton

Captain Ralph Milton, USMC Retired, passed away peacefully in his Logan, Utah home on the morning of December 19th at the age of 95. Born in Gordon, Nebraska on December 9th, 1929 to Howard and Mary (Allely) Milton, Ralph spent his youth exploring nature, admiring cowboys, farmers, and the Western way of life, and learning to hunt, fish, and camp. He graduated from Pine Bluffs, Wyoming High School in 1948 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in August of that year. His early service as a Marine took him to San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and ultimately to Korea, where he spent his 21st birthday on the icy Chosin Reservoir, for which he was awarded a Silver Star and Gold Star (in lieu of a second Silver) for conspicuous gallantry as he and a small group of Marines, led by his beloved Colonel Olin Beale, under heavy enemy fire, saved the lives of more than 350 soldiers. 

On his return from Korea, Ralph married Betty Lou Medley in 1952 and the two shared a life together for the next 72 years. They were blessed with 4 beautiful children; all girls (Debby, Cindy, Judy, and Joy). After his continued service in the Marines found him working as a recruiter in the Western United States and eventually in Vietnam, he retired from the military in 1970 and moved to Twin Falls, Idaho and worked until 1984 for the state of Idaho in law enforcement. Once he finally retired, he devoted himself to being a full time grandfather as his family grew to include 8 grandchildren, and has since grown to include 9 great grandchildren. Many happy seasons were spent teaching these next generations to hunt, fish, and appreciate the beauty of nature while respecting it. He fought and won a battle with cancer and a harder battle getting the VA to admit that agent orange exposure in Vietnam was the cause.

Ralph is survived by his wife Betty Milton, his constant companion, short order cook, and love of his life. He is also survived by his daughters, Judy (Brett) Downs of Amalga, UT, and Joy (Todd) Kuck of Boise, ID. He is deeply cherished by his grandchildren Bryce, Royce, and Shay Downs; Kyle and Collin Ronan; Eric and Andy Eiman; and Macquel Kuck. Ralph was fortunate to know all 9 of his great-grandchildren: Brinlee, Sammy, Paul, Waylon, Ashley, Deegan, Max, Eli, and Daxton. He is also survived by his brother Roland (Jesse) Milton of Texas, and his sister Dona Pinkernell of Chino Hills, CA and countless nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members.

He was preceded in death by his daughters Cindy Kay Milton (1961) and Debby Lynn Ronan (2011), his siblings Dale Milton, Jesse Elwood, Marilyn Bunch, Beverly Bruno, and brothers in law John Pinkernell, Bob Elwood, Charles Bunch, sister in law Pearl Milton.

His final resting place will be at the Idaho Veterans Cemetery where he will be interred on January 13th. A joyful celebration of his amazing, heroic, and impactful life will be held later in the Spring of 2025. It would be a great tragedy to reduce Ralph to his heroism in combat, his valor in service, or his dedication to his country. While all of those things were core to his life, the true impact that Ralph leaves behind is his example to live kindly, modestly, with conviction, with faith and values, and with love for his family, country, and community.