Ralph Edwin Rusk

Mr. Ralph Edwin Rusk passed on to his Heavenly Resting Place on April 17th, 2014, at the age of 81. He was preceded in death by his parents Francis L. Daily and James Edwin Rusk. Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Ernestine Pates Rusk of Ocean Springs. Ralph had one brother David Rusk of Columbus, Ohio, three children, son, John Steven Rusk (Shelia Brashier Rusk), daughter Cindy Rusk Flowers (Mickey Flowers), and a handicapped daughter Lynda Lea Rusk - the love of his life. Papa had three granddaughters Kim Nix Barton (Douglas Barton), Robin Rusk Thomas (John Thomas), and Lauren Rusk (Rob Smith). Papa also had five great- grandchildren Taylor Ann Rusk, Grace Barton, Austin Thomas, Brayden Thomas and Henley Thomas. Special thanks to Lisa Gonzales, our nurse, who cares for Lynda and provided care to Papa as well. Ralph served in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict with service at Keesler Air Force, McConnell AFB Kansas, Hunter AFB Savanna, Georgia and Kadena AFB Okinawa, Japan. After service he was employed by Goodyear Aircraft Akron, Ohio, and designed electrical systems on surveillance airships. His love for the southern ways brought him back to the Mississippi Gulf Coast where he was employed at Ingalls Shipyard. He worked in the 56 Department on nuclear submarines in the test trials department. After Ingalls discontinued the nuclear program Ralph worked in shipyard maintenance where he worked to restore cranes and wing walls on the dry dock. He later transferred to a dry-dock operator and became assistant Dock Master then Dock Master after a few years on the facility. Ralph retired from Ingalls Ship Systems in 1993. Ralph was a Mason and member of the McCloud Lodge in Ocean Springs and held a 32° Scottish Rite. He was active in Ocean Springs community sports with Pee-Wee Football and Director of Ocean Springs Little League for many years. Ralph served as a member of the Chain Gang at Friday Night Greyhound Football games with Charlie Durso and the late Charlie Gilbert. Later he became the voice of Greyhound football. Ralph is also survived by many long time friends; Wayne Jones, Charlie Durso, Don Parker, Henry Sumrall, Tom Wilson, John Brenden, David Franklin, Edwin Dollar, Glen Ryan, Chuck Aldrich, Arnold Verhoeven and many more unnamed. Memorial donations can be made to South Mississippi Retardation Center, or St Paul United Methodist Church in Ocean Springs. The family would like to thank the caring nursing staff at Singing River Hospital System in Ocean Springs and Pascagoula for their excellent care. Funeral services will be on Monday, April 21, 2014, from 10:30 am until 11:30 am, with an 11:30 am chapel service, all at Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home, 911 Porter Ave, Ocean Springs. Burial will follow at Crestlawn Cemetery in Ocean Springs.