It's been over a year now. Every morning on my drive into work I think of Ralph. I think of lots of different things about Ralph. I don't know why. Each day I wonder to myself why it is that I miss him so much for. I try not to cry. Every day. Usually I'm not successful. I didn't really know him that long, only about four years. I don't miss people that have died that I've known my entire life as much as I miss Ralph. I guess that tells you what kind of person he was.

My interaction with Ralph revolved around Jim and the Raiders. I always felt privileged and honored to be able to hang out with them at the games. I've been attending Raider games my entire life, but until I attended a game with Ralph and Jim I had never really been to a Raider game. I enjoyed spending time with him around the tailgate of Jim's truck sooooo much. Ralph had a lot to say on those early Sunday mornings in Oakland. And I always really looked forward to listening to him talk about his life with Sandy and how much fun they had with their friends and the trips they took, and he always had us rolling with laughter telling us about Josh and being Josh's dad. He had good story's.

There are songs that play on the radio while I drive into work that make me smile and cry and think of Ralph.

 

Rod Stewart:

Someone like you
makes it hard to live without
somebody else
Someone like you
makes it easy to give
never think about myself

Billy Joel:

They showed you a statue and told you to pray
They built you a temple and locked you away
But they never told you the price that you pay
For things that you might have done.....
Only the good die young

You might have heard I run with a dangerous crowd
We ain't too pretty we ain't too proud
We might be laughing a bit too loud
But that never hurt no one
And only the good die young

They say there's a heaven for those who will wait
Some say it's better but I say it ain't
I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints
Sinners are much more fun...And only the good die young

 

On my drives into work, on the freeway, I notice the sky and the trees and I think of Ralph. Every day. Everything is so beautiful. It's been over a year!

Keep checking here for updates. We now have a scanner and will be posting new pictures for everyone to enjoy. If you have any pictures of Ralph that you would like to share, email: otownraiders@hotmail.com.

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