Ralph Mesch

Ralph Mesch

1937-2015

Ralph Charles Mesch, 77, of Ben Wheeler, passed away July 16, 2015, at Hospice of East Texas in Tyler, following a long and courageous battle with multiple myeloma.

He was born Nov. 29, 1937, in Denver, Colo. to the late Daniel John Mesch and Clara Wilemina (Becker) Mesch.  He was one of four Mesch sons, all of whom are from the Denver area and served in the United States Navy.  

Ralph served 28 years and retired as a Navy Master Chief.  While on active duty one of his critical jobs was the packing parachutes for Navy pilots, but he was quickly promoted to maintenance supervisor. He served in Olathe, Kan.; Washington, D.C.; Almeda, Calif.; Jacksonville, Fla.; and NAS Dallas Grand Prairie. 

After active duty, he went to work as a civilian specializing in aircraft maintenance for Lockeed in Arlington. He had been living in Ben Wheeler for the past 10 years.  Before that he was a longtime resident of Arlington.

He was a member of St. Theresa Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.  He enjoyed fishing, repairing and rebuilding automobiles, but he always considered his family as his first priority.  In the summers he liked to visit former classmates, friends and family in Colorado and to escape the heat of Texas.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Meredith Ann (Downing) Mesch of Ben Wheeler; three children, David Anthony Mesch and wife, Monica of Grand Prairie, Daniel Joseph Mesch of Arlington and Joyce Lynn (Mesch) Snell of Farmersville; five grandchildren, Amanda Mesch, Ashley Mesch, Meagan Mesch , Garret Snell and Gunnar Snell.

Services will be held Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015 at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 14786 FM 859, Canton.

Rosary will begin at 10:30 a.m. and Memorial Mass will follow at 11 a.m.

Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 14, 2015 at DFW National Cemetery, 200 Mountain Creek Parkway, Lane C, Dallas.