Ralph Salyards

Ralph Elden Salyards died May 11, 2023, at Gordon CountrySide Care at the ripe old age of 77. He was born Feb. 9, 1946, to Elden and Fern (Pakpe) Salyards in Sterling. He was the oldest of three children. 

Ralph attended school in Haxtun, where he graduated. Shortly thereafter, he was drafted into the U.S. Army on Dec. 22,1965. He was honorably discharged into the reserves in November 1967 and was honorably discharged from the Army in 1971.

Ralph had three children: Amy in 1972, adopted Luke in 1978 and Rebekka “Beki” in 1980. Ralph enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and good times with his family and friends. He also loved supporting his granddaughters, from sporting events, choir concerts, Veterans Day programs, rodeo events and many other activities. He especially enjoyed being a grandfather to his granddaughters, Taylar Ann Denbo and Kassity Danielle Denbo. 

Ralph was a man of many talents, from working construction, helping on the family farm, to driving semi. 

After his retirement, Ralph and Uncle Melvin enjoyed spending time together on their many adventures, doing who knows what, to VA appointments to trips to go see family near and far. Ralph moved to Nebraska with his daughter Beki and granddaughters in 2019, where he kept them on their toes, from helping around the house to horse chores, to yelling at the dogs, keeping up on the many episodes of “Gunsmoke” and many other westerns, and his favorite, sunbathing — The man could get a tan. 

Ralph is survived by his children, Amy of North Carolina, Luke of Colorado and Beki of Nebraska; granddaughters, Taylar and Kassity of Nebraska; sister, Janet and husband Larry Poos of Imperial, Nebraska; brother, Wayne and wife Dola Salyards of Holyoke; and his many cousins and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fern and Elden Salyards; grandson, Bodie Burrows; and many aunts, uncles and friends.

 Funeral services will be held Friday, May 26, at 12:15 p.m. at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver.