Ralph Edward Thies

16 hours ago(0) SignaturesMISSOULA – Ralph Edward Thies, 81, of Missoula passed away Tuesday, July 2, 2013 at his home surrounded by the love and comfort of many friends and family at his side.

He was born in Effingham, Ill., but lived throughout Texas and Oklahoma, where he would meet Mary, the mother of his pride and joy, his son Alan. He became a widower when Alan was only 9 years old. He worked for more than

35 years with American Airlines and even spent two years in Iran working for Bell Helicopters before he finally gave in to retirement and began to travel.

In 1995 he met his match in Shirlee Reed in Missoula. He quickly moved north and they married that same year. He realized right away his southern roots were strong and Montana winters were no place for him, so they became snowbirds and spent their years traveling throughout the winters to Oklahoma, Florida, Texas, New England or wherever Alan and his wife Deborah happened to be on assignment.

He clearly loved to travel and he loved to play golf, and was rarely ever seen without his cowboy hat, except at the Kingdom Hall, where he was a devoted member of Jehovah's Witnesses.

The sweetest, most gentle soul we knew, loving husband, wonderful father and exceptional grandpa/Bunca, he will be missed every single day.

Survivors include his wife Shirlee; son Alan and wife Deborah Thies of Austin, Texas; daughters, Tonja Ray, Crystal and husband Troy Ault, Nadia Frost-Gaydos and husband Chris Gaydos, all of Missoula; grandchildren, Michael and wife Peggy Thies of Dallas, Texas, Jesse Speirs, Charlie Frost-Gaydos, Analiese and Cye David Ault; and three great-grandchildren, Hayden, Brenden and Landon.

Thanks for the years of love and laughter. Above all, thanks for showing us once again that blood is not thicker than water. We will be forever grateful for our time with you and the balance you brought to this crazy bunch of girls you took on as your own.

Services to be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses tonight, July 12, at 6 p.m. Reception celebration immediately following at Grant Creek Inn

Read Ralph Thies's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.