Obituary: Ralph Porch

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Funeral Services

Funeral services will take place on Friday, June 3, 2022 at 10:30 AM (Mountain).

New Kadoka Gymnasium
Kadoka, South Dakota

Visitation

Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service starting at 7 on Thursday, June 2, at the New Kadoka Gymnasium in Kadoka.

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In memory of

Ralph Porch

of Wanblee, South Dakota, died on Friday, May 27, 2022 at Monument Health in Rapid City at the age of 76

Ralph Roy Porch was born on March 17, 1946 in Kadoka, South Dakota to Cyrus and Dorothy (Hockenbary) Porch. He grew up on the family ranch located on Bear Creek, north of Hisle, South Dakota. At a young age Ralph started hunting with his coon dogs on the Bear Creek. He continued to have coon dogs and coyote hounds for years. Ralph attended all twelve years of school in Kadoka, where he exceled in football, rodeo, and basketball. He graduated from Kadoka High School in 1964.

Ralph was drafted into the army in 1966, served in the Vietnam War and was stationed in Germany until 1968. While in Germany, he became good friends with Gary Swartz of Minnesota and Bob Scott of Iowa. They have remained in contact with each other throughout the years.

On August 16, 1969 Ralph was united in marriage to Diana (Ward) Porch. To this union were born four children: Shannon, Shayne, Shawn, and Shari. Ralph was a member of the Presbyterian Church and American Legion Post 240 of Martin, South Dakota.

Ralph bought his first registered quarter horse mare, Rum Cake Leone, when he was 10 years old. Ralph’s passion for raising horses continued on from there and in January 2022 he was honored as a 50-year member of the American Quarter Horse Association. Through the years he passed on to his children and grandchildren his love for raising horses and the cowboy way of life. The ranch, cattle and horses brought many special people into Ralph’s life. Some of his greatest memories were his summers spent in the arena at home with his family and friends; teaching, learning and laughing. Ralph also made many great and lifelong friends on the rodeo trail traveling with his kids to Little Britches, 4H and High School Rodeos. Ralph was very proud of his Country, his horses and most of all his family.

The highlight of Ralph’s life was getting to spend treasured time with all of his grandkids, Brendon, Tara, Katie, Kelsey, Dalton, Shaylee, Peyton, Haylee, Kaisa and Jess, teaching them to shoot guns, playing games, and telling stories and jokes.

In his later years, if Ralph wasn’t home watching over things on the ranch, he could be found at the local feedstore, Double H Feed in Kadoka, drinking coffee and giving the guys a hard time.

Ralph is survived by his wife Diana of 52 years; daughters Shannon (Pete) Reinert and Shari (William) Davey; sons Shayne (Heidi) Porch and Shawn (Tashia) Porch; his brothers Stanley Porch and Roger (Lois) Porch; sister-in-law Pat Porch; brothers-in-law John Ward and Tom (Max) Ward; sisters-in-law Judy Livermont and Beverly Byrne; grandkids Brendon Porch, Tara Reinert, Katie Dibbern, Kelsey Lensegrav, Dalton Porch, Shaylee Porch, Peyton Porch, Haylee Porch, Kaisa Davey, Jess Davey; many nieces and nephews.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; Cyrus and Dorothy Porch; brother, Boyd Porch; sister, Carol (Porch) Jeffords; sisters-in-law, Shirley Porch and Little Bev Ward; brothers-in-law, Steve Jeffords, Harry (Butch) Livermont and Les Byrne; niece, Kristi (Porch) Thompson; nephews, Joe Byrne, Jeramy Ward and Don Clay Word; parents-in-law Bud & Lavon Ward; friends, Mitch Olney, Paul Thomas and Pat Weaver.

Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. Thursday, June 2, at the New Kadoka Gymnasium, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 3, at the New Kadoka Gymnasium, with Pastor Jesse Taylor officiating.

Interment with military honors will be held at the Kadoka Cemetery.

A memorial has been established to the Kadoka Buffalo Stampede and the Kadoka Ambulance and Kadoka Volunteer Fire Department.

Open the Memorial Folder

FUNERAL SERVICE
Friday, June 3, 2022 - 10:30 a.m.
New Kadoka Gym
Kadoka, South Dakota

CLERGY
Pastor Jesse Taylor

MUSIC
Vernon Ward and KeAnna Hodson - Vocalists
“Dancing In The Sky”
“One Day At A Time”

READER
Joe Stoddard

USHERS
Jerry Sharp - Ted Hicks
Tate Thompson - Brett Bonenberger

PALLBEARERS
Travis Thompson - Roddy Thompson
Dalton Porch - Brendon Porch - Cleve Prichard
John Ward - Tom Ward - Ken Lensegrav

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

INTERMENT WITH MILITARY HONORS
Kadoka Cemetery
Kadoka, South Dakota

Sign the guestbook

Sincere thoughts and prayers to your family. ~ Dan Quinn Spearfish (6/4/2022)
Hugs n Prayers to all of You. ~ Lavonne Carlson Kadoka (6/2/2022)
Diana, Shannon, ,Shayne, Shawn & Shari and family; words cannot express how deeply sorry we are to hear of Ralph's passing. I'm sure my Dad was waiting up there for him with a cold one and lots of rodeo stories to hash over! So wish I could have made the service but please know that my thoughts, prayers and hugs are with you all! ~ Lisa (Dale) Willman Grand Island, NE (6/2/2022)
Diana & Family, I was so saddened to hear of Ralph's passing. He always had a smile that made a person feel at ease & I enjoyed visiting with him whenever the opportunity presented itself. He was a wonderful man & a true gentleman who will be missed by all who knew him. Keep your memories close to your heart, they will help you thru the days & weeks ahead. Keeping you all in thought & prayer. ~ Cindy Nuzum Wall, SD (6/1/2022)
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all your family. ~ Jim Elshere 19651 River Rd Milesville (6/1/2022)
Sending heartfelt condolences to Diane, Shannon, Shayne, Shawn, and Shari. Lots of great memories of Ralph at brandings. He had a great sense of humor and a great laugh. Wishing you peace and comfort. ~ Holly Boomer Gordon, NE (5/31/2022)
Sending so much love and sympathy to all of Ralph's family. Ron proudly remembers the hele]icoptor ride he and Ralph took landing at the Interior Rodeo. Thank you for your service, Ralph. KHS Class of 64. ~ Ron & Marilyn Gartner Interior SD (5/31/2022)
So. Dak. ~ Suzanne Stathem Rapid City (5/31/2022)
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Ralph was a great guy, and we have some lasting memories of him. God bless. ~ Chris and Diana Elwood Volborg, MT (5/30/2022)
Sending thoughts and prayers to your entire family. ~ Barb Shepardson Sioux Falls,Sd (5/30/2022)
I do actually remember those coonhounds! I used to beg the boys to take me along when they went coon hunting. Lots of Bear Creek memories to think about! Diana and kids, thinking about you and share your sorrow. ~ Nancy Peterson Kadoka (5/29/2022)
Arizona ~ Bob & Sharel Spears Wickenburg (5/29/2022)
Diana and kids, I am so sorry to learn of Ralhp's passing. My heart goes out to all of you. ~ Ellie Bettelyoun Martin (5/29/2022)
Salute!! Ralph is my Brother in so many ways...childhood mischief, duck hunting, High School Sports & our Brotherhood of Veterans. Go now in Peace my very good Friend ... & save me a plate at the Good Lord's Table..." I Can Only Imagine" ... the Pranks you are already planning :)
~ Mike & Judy Barber Tampa, Fl (5/29/2022)
Diane and family, You have been on my mind all the time for the past few days and now I am so sorry for your loss. Hugs and prayers to all of you. ~ Linda Harvey Interior (5/28/2022)