Ralph Collier
Ralph Collier went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, May 3, 2025, with his wife of 47 years at his side.
His life and love of Christ will be celebrated Monday, May 12, at 11 a.m. at GracePoint Church (327 C St SW, Ephrata) with a luncheon and graveside service to follow.
Ralph was born in Myrtle Point, Ore. He was the son of Lee and Jeannette Collier and had one sister, Caryolyn.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughters Andrea Scott and Holly Schoenberg (Deken); granddaughters Stephanie Collier and Cali Schoenberg; and father-in-law Marvin Rose.
Ralph was a graduate of Ephrata High School in 1962, Central Washington State College, now Central Washington University, in 1967, and served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War from 1967-1969.
During his life, Ralph struggled with the effects of bipolar disorder impacting jobs and relationships, but he never became discouraged as he continued to serve the Lord in every way that he was able.
Ralph loved people. He never knew a stranger, from the homeless to dignitaries. He loved people from all walks of life because he saw the imprint of Christ on each one of them and longed for each of them to know Him personally. Ralph had a special place in his heart for youth ministry. He was a volunteer Grant County Chaplain for the Juvenile Detention Center for over 30 years. He was known as the “Music Man” at church with his CD music ministry. He would carefully select CDs to share with and engage youth in listening to Christian music that they would enjoy. Ralph also spent much of his time working to bring Christian concerts to the Columbia Basin. Ralph’s legacy of sharing Christ through music will have a lasting impact in ways we will never know.
Ralph is also survived by sister and brother-in-law Roberta (Edwin) Willey and Bob Rose; nieces and nephew, Debbie (Alex), Amy (Jeff), Sherry and Eric; as well as nine great-nieces and nephews and two great-great-nieces.
Arrangements are under the care of Nicoles Funeral Home, Ephrata, Wash.
