Refugio "Ralph" A. Guerrero

Refugio "Ralph" A. Guerrero, passed away peacefully on Feb. 5, 2008, at Kadlec Hospital in Richland, Wash. with his children by his side.

Refugio Amaya Guerrero was born on July 11, 1927, to Epigeno and Isabel Guerrero in Eagle Pass, Texas. To be known in later years by friends and family as "Ralph". Ralph joined the Army in 1945, and served two years in Germany. After returning stateside, Ralph traveled throughout the United States working various jobs before settling in the Columbia Basin area in the 1960s.

In 1968, Ralph began working at Soil and Crop in Othello, as a chemical truck driver. It was at this job where he met the love of his life in 1974. On Jan. 8, 1975, Ralph wed Iva K. Edwards. Ralph continued to work at Soil and Crop until the late 1970's where he then began working for Simplot as a truck driver. Ralph worked there until the late 1990's when he retired to take care of his wife.

Ralph's passions in life besides his wife, family, his many friendships were landscaping, fishing, volunteer work with the Veterans Foreign Affairs' and the Masonic Lodge. On Dec. 18, 2001, Ralph received an honorary high school diploma from Moses Lake.

Ralph is survived by his wife Iva of 33 years, children Refugio (Alex) Guerrero, Jr.; Amanda (Bill) Gray; Aldo (Judith) Guerrero; Kristi Jordan; Sonja (Jim) Eldred; Elizabeth (David) Richardson; Tanja (Ramon) Rodriguez; Armilda Guerrero (Jose Solis); 22 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren and a niece (Maggie) in Eagle Pass, Texas.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Peter, Jose, Tony, sister Esther, son Peter Marco Guerrero and granddaughter Courtney Janel Snider.

The family would like to thank the staff at Kadlec Hospital Emergency Department and Intermediate Care Unit. Services were held on Friday Feb. 8, at Stevens Funeral Chapel in Othello.

To view pictures, read the obituary, sign the guest book and light a candle for Ralph visit us at stevensfuneralchapel.com