Ralph Edwin Fowble Jr.

Col. Ralph Edwin Fowble Jr. loving husband and father, at age 84, passed away Monday, November 4, 2019.  He was born December 31, 1934 in Detroit Michigan to the late Ralph Fowble Sr. and the late Hazel Fowble and was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years Lois Fowble; his son, Mathew C. Fowble; and his two sisters, Beverly and Mary.  He is survived by his daughter, Karen J. Fowble; grandson, Jason M. Fowble and wife Gabriela Fowble; great grandchildren, Alexander and Veronica Fowble; nieces, Debbie, Kathy and Vicky; and nephews, Butch and David in Caldwell ID.

He enlisted in the US Navy in July of 1952 through 1955, receiving the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal. Service training courses successfully completed Aircraft Fire Control, Aircraft Armament and Munitions. Duty assignment Patrol Squadron Sixteen (VP-16). Obligated to serve in the US Naval Reserve and recommended for future re-enlistment. He returned to Albuquerque around 1956 where he met Lois.  Ralph and Lois were married in February 1957.  After working various jobs and going to UNM part time, he joined the New Mexico Air National Guard as a weekender then went full time around 1965.  He along with the members of the New Mexico Air National Guard 188 TFS where deployed to Vietnam in 1968-1969. Receiving the Bronze Star Medal for supervising the uploading and downloading of F-100 aircraft while exposed to the hazards of mortar attacks.

After returning from Vietnam he went to Officers Training School Chanute AFB in Rantoul, IL in 1969. Completing and commissioned he returned to the New Mexico Air National Guard as a Maintenance Officer. From 1980 to 1987 he served in the Pentagon as a Maintenance Staff Officer and received a Degree from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He then went onto Hill AFB in Utah, Tinker AFB in Oklahoma, and finished out his military career at Kelly AFB in San Antonio, TX in support of Desert Shield/Storm from 1990 through 1994.

Ralph and Lois enjoyed traveling to many places during their time together. He enjoyed woodworking and refinishing furniture, listening and dancing to music and just having a good time. He especially enjoyed mentoring his grandson Jason to follow in his footsteps of serving his country. He loved spending time with his longtime friends and colleges of the New Mexico Air National Guard (the Tacos) and held all those he worked in his career with the highest respect.  He will be truly missed and will always be in our hearts.

Cremations has taken place and a Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2020, 11:00 a.m. at FRENCH - Lomas.  Reception will follow the service.  Interment will take place at Fairview Memorial Park, 700 Yale Blvd. SE