Ralph E. Slay II

Ralph was born on December 15, 1940 in Atlanta, Georgia, and passed away in his home in Layton, Utah as his daughter, Lorie, was by his side after an extended unexpected illness. 

Ralph (Bud) was the only son of four children to Ralph Earnest Sr. and Hulene Abercrombie Slay. He is survived by his beloved wife, Rose Slay, his daughter Lorie Slay Jones of Gainesville, Georgia, his son Greg Slay (Tammy) of Canton, Georgia, stepsons Raymond Maple (Stacey) of Farmington, Utah, Edward Maple of Layton, Utah, Bobby Saentong (Reyna) of Santa Clarita, California, his sisters Janet Reed and Sally Chastain (Harry), both of Atlanta, Georgia, and Lu Ann Slay (Eiwin) of California. Ralph had numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, along with many nieces and nephews that loved him dearly and enjoyed every minute spent with him. 

Ralph graduated from Northside High School in Atlanta, GA in 1958 and from Georgia Tech Institute of Technology in 1962, where he majored in Electrical Engineering. Ralph was the lead engineer for several engineering firms for projects to include the lighting systems for MARTA in Atlanta, Georgia, the Epcot Center in Orlando, Florida, Disney Land in Anaheim, California and many approach lighting systems for airports (including Hughes Aircraft) around the world.  Ralph retired from Parsons Corporation in Fort Worth, Texas in 2005. 

Ralph was an avid world traveler as he and Rosie explored many national parks in the United States to include cruising and land tours in Alaska and the Canadian Rockies, road trips to Mexico to Cabo San Lucas, Branson, Missouri, cruising through the Panama Canal (San Diego to Boston), Mexican cruise where he climbed Chichen Itza.  He traveled all over the United States, Asia (to include Thailand, Japan and China), Poland, Denmark and Belgium and the Holy Land a couple of times.  When asked “what was his favorite place in the world”, his response would be “HOME”. 

Ralph had a strong Christian faith and was a long-time member and Deacon at Wieuca Road Baptist Church and a Kiwanis member in Atlanta, GA.  He served as an Ordinance Worker in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Dallas, Texas.  In Layton, Utah, Ralph most recently served as the Family History Consultant training and educating people on research of family history, the High Priest Group Instructor, as well as the Greeter each Sunday.  Ralph was also the Building Specialist which included cleaning and maintaining the Temple in Ogden, Utah.  

Ralph was loved by all who met him.  He was the most kind, honorable and gentle person you would ever know and made everyone feel special.  He was constantly telling jokes as he had a wonderful sense of humor and made everyone laugh around him.  Ralph had a lot of common sense and gave sound advice.  He was a good steward of money and possessions as he took great care to maintain and preserve. He was a great communicator and was always appreciative of the little things done for him. When he saw a need, he filled it. 

Ralph loved his family greatly and has provided loving care for Rosie over the past 16-1/2 years while having Parkinson’s Disease.  Rosie was the love of his life.  Ralph also cherished all of the friendships over the years that were nourished with his love and humor. 

Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 21, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. (MST) at the Wheatfield Ward, 3161 W. 150 N., Layton, Utah. Friends may visit with family on Friday from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. at the church.

Interment-Lindquist’s Memorial Park at Layton, 1867 No. Fairfield Road.

Services will be live-streamed from the following link on the day of service.

https://zoom.us/j/99680922232