Ralph Edward Wilson

Ralph Edward Wilson

December 2, 1951, to December 4, 2021

Remembering a Life Well Lived:

Ralph Edward Wilson was born in Coalgate, OK, to Leander Wilson and Lou Vennie Kemp on December 2, 1951. He was the youngest of seven children born to this union. His brothers and sisters preceded him in death which included Reverend Floyd Wilson, Donald Wilson, Leemon Wilson, Maxine Williams, Blanche Arroyo, and Charlene Glover.  As a teenager he moved to Los Angeles and lived with his cousin Lowell Fulson, a well-known Rhythm and Blues Musician, where he learned how to play bass guitar.  He played in his cousin’s band and had a very adventurous teenage life. He went back to Oklahoma around the age of 17 to enlist into the United States Airforce. He served over three years in the military while being stationed in Holland. During these years he continued his music career by playing in a band at venues around Holland during his free time. He also finished getting his high school diploma.  He then attended a music school in Los Angeles where earned an Associate’s Degree in music.  He had many trades and interests including working toward a pilot’s license.  He met the love of his life in June of 1976, Beverly Dawn Carter, who had just started her career as a registered nurse.  They married six months later on January 5, 1977, and had a 44 year marriage full of love and devotion.  During their marriage, Ralph traveled with his wife and worked in sales in various settings.  Ralph had a son PJ Kemp prior to meeting his wife and with his wife Beverly, had two daughters, Erika and Melissa Wilson.   He built airplanes at Beechcraft as well as attended diesel mechanics courses.  He worked many years in the car industry in Oklahoma City, OK, and in Albuquerque, NM. He won many awards for his skills as a salesman and later in life decided to follow another passion, owning his own restaurant. He started his own catering and Hotdog business called “New York Dog” with his wife and daughter’s in Albuquerque, NM.

Ralph and his wife are current members of the Believer’s Center in Albuquerque, a family Christian church.  Prior, Ralph and his family attended Phillip’s Chapel AME for many years where both of his daughters were baptized.

The most amazing thing about Ralph was not what he accomplished with his own career in life, but the love and joy he gave throughout his whole life to those around him.  He was extremely giving and would also feed those around him.  It was about how he made you feel when you were with him. When Ralph was around you always felt special, listened to, and cared for. He was also very honest with his feelings and did not shy away from speaking his truth. He had an unmatched sense of humor and loved to tease those he cared about.  He was a loving and dedicated husband and father who was very self-less in his actions. He always said that he wanted to make sure his children had more opportunity than he had growing up and always encouraged his children to get an education.  He stressed the importance of education and independence which encouraged his daughters to obtain doctorate level degrees.  He loved sharing his passion for food, music, and laughter with those around him. His family always referred to him as “Belly Man” because he was always hungry. His youngest daughter often referred to him as “Oscar the Grouch” because of the facial expression he would give when irritated.  He also lived his life with a hunger to make this world a better place for those he loved.  Mission accomplished.

Ralph Edward Wilson passed away at age 70 on December 4, 2021, in Albuquerque, NM.  He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Beverly Wilson, his children Parish Juan Kemp, Erika Wilson, Melissa Wilson, grand-daughter Ahnia Wilson-English, an unborn grandson, and a host of many other grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws: Leah Ruth Wilson, Vida Wilson, Barbara Hennesy, Wanda Brown, Glenda Irving, Earlene Johnson, and brothers-in-law Wallace Williams and Robert Johnson.

Please join us as we honor the life of Ralph Edward Wilson on December 20, 2021, at French Funerals and Cremations. Viewing will be held from 8:30am to 10:00am. Service starts at 10:00am. Reception will follow from 11:00am to 1:00 pm. He will be laid to rest later at the Santa Fe National Cemetery following the first of the year.

Flowers can be sent to: French Funerals and Cremations, 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112 no later than 8:00am on December 20, 2021.