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Celebration of Life
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Highlands Community of Christ Church
7615 N. Platte Purchase Dr.
Kansas City, MO 64118
4-5:30 p.m.
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Ralph Nephi Day
May 25, 1928 - March 21, 2015
His Story
Birthdate: May 25, 1928, He always tried to fly “standby” someplace for his birthday celebration… Memorial Day… flights always full, never happened.
Birthplace: Brentwood, St. Louis County, Mo., son of Ira and Sarah Ann (Moreland) Day. He’s always loved the St. Louis Arch, gateway to his birthplace.
Current Home: As of March 21, 2015, he is with his best friend Jesus, and telling stories with his namesake “Nephi”. Ralph has lived in Concord, Pittsburg, Antioch and Walnut Creek, California; Bradenton/Sarasota/ Palmetto, Florida; Acworth, Georgia; Kingsville, Holden, and most recently Kearney, Missouri.
Family: He married his childhood sweetheart, Leota M. Sumner on April 22, 1946 in Holden, Mo. When she was 12 years old, God had told Ralph that he would marry her one day, so he did when she was 16 and he was 17 years old. Although immediate family members said it was “only puppy love” that puppy love lasted 68 years. His pride and joy was his first daughter, Vera Johnson of Kearney, Mo. He lived most of his life with his second daughter, Andria Melham and husband, Jim Melham of Kearney, Mo. They had several foster children through the years. He loved his family and adored his little brother, Dan Day and wife, Carolee of Livingston, Texas. He was Grandpa to eight grandchildren, David Johnson and wife, Jody, Shelli Johnson Hopkins and husband, Tony, Jonathan Melham and wife, Cory, Gregory Melham and wife, Kelly, and great grandpa to five great grandchildren, Damia and Amilia Hopkins, Kole and Aniah Johnson, and Kameron Hind.
He loved to attend Family Reunions each year and finally got the prize for being the oldest “Day” at the Reunion in 2014. He was preceded in death by his two sisters, Ellen Mullen and Edith Pine, and three brothers, Raymond, Sanford and Lester Day, all of Holden, Mo.
Occupation: Husband, Father, Grandpa, GGPA, Son, Brother, Best Friend, Helper to Homeless and those in need, Welder in the family shop as a teen, National Guardsman, Tool and Die Maker with Sears Roebuck, Retired from TWA as a Machinist in 1986, Worst Salesman (because he gave everything away), Gentle Soul, Prayer Warrior, Youth Leader with his wife while still teenagers, Teacher, Faithful Giant, Minister, Artist, Inventor, Jack of all Trades, Mr. Toolman, Fixit Extraordinaire.
Calling: Priest in 1960, Elder in 1963 for Community of Christ. Pastored churches in California, Florida and Missouri. Performed Marriages, Baptized hundreds, brought thousands to Christ. Taught many classes and held “Cottage Meetings”. He was an expert on the Bible and Book of Mormon. He never knew a stranger and was always bringing someone home that was in need. His greatest prayer was that all his family members would love and serve the Lord. He was quick to share his testimony of how his life had been preserved so many times, but how he was looking forward to being with Jesus when his time came.
Education: Although he only finished the eighth grade, he was so well self-educated that he was requested to teach college classes in machine shop. He was highly regarded and received an honorary PhD from the University where he taught. He won many awards for his welding and machine expertise. He was a member of the IAM Local 1650 and District Lodge 142. He loved to fly and got his pilot’s license while his girls were young.
Favorite Activity: Playing games of any kind. He was a Master at Horseshoes, Killer at Ping Pong and Croquet, and a Land Baron at Monopoly. As he became legally blind he invented different versions of games so he could continue to play. He revised “Aggravation/Sorry” from marbles to pegs so he could feel his way around the board. He even invented a few new games that were great entertainment. He never “let” his children win at games. He said if they were going to win, they had to earn it by playing strategically and ruthlessly.
He also loved to talk to people. He worked diligently to determine if they were related to him somehow or how he might know them. He never knew a stranger and brought many of them home when they had cars broken down or just down on their luck. It was nothing out of the ordinary to come home and find a baby playing on the floor and someone sleeping in the bedroom whom none of the family had ever met before.
Favorite Vacation: He loved to drive from California to Missouri all the years his children were growing up. On one family vacation, he picked up a man whose car had broken down and actually towed the car for him through several states since he was “going our way”. But the highlight of his life was his trip to Cancun, Mexico where he toured the Mayan ruins. He even climbed to the very top of Chichen Itza Pyramid Kukulkan and got to see the hieroglyphs of the feathered serpent god Quetzalcoatl.
Prized Possessions: Aside from his wedding ring and Bible, his most prized possession was a small blue metal airplane. His family gave it to him along with flight lessons so he could get his Pilot’s license. He loved to fly and especially do “the belly flops” to the delight of his children and the chagrin of his wife. He was a great inventor and made many things that helped others and made money. He “lived” with his toolbox and kept it in perfect order. He loved his “craftsman” tools and would write his name on all the tools. He did have a bad habit of “borrowing” his wife’s tools and never returning them, but then buy her a whole new set at Christmas, which eventually also disappeared into the great abyss called the “Men’s Garage”.
Favorite Things: His “little woman” whom he adored all the years of their lives together, and all of his family. His last wish was to “Go home to die” so he could see his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and all his relatives before he left this life. He accomplished this by moving from Georgia to Missouri in 2013. His favorite item of clothing was his gray plaid jacket that he was never without. He loved to eat out, anytime, anyplace. Any buffet was perfect, he loved Spicy Chicken Sandwiches, Tacos, and Biscuits and Gravy. If given any choice of meal or snack, he always wanted something with Gravy. He loved to build and invent things: from shooter games, toilet paper/paper towel holders, to exhibits for the Children's PEACE Center. He loved to teach his girls and his grandchildren how to build things. He could take any item of junk and turn it into something useful. His daughter’s first playhouse was an old Rabbit hutch which he enhanced with lots of love and tools. He loved to build “big”. The famous “backyard swing set” in Concord, Calif., turned out to be larger than the entire house but the whole neighborhood loved it. The doghouse for their miniature dachshunds was so big it required insulation and a heater. The only thing bigger than what he built with his hands, was the love he built up for family, friends and God.
Ralph, we love you and will miss you. You're a wonderful example of a Godly Man, wonderful Husband and Father, will be remembered forever by those that have known you. Until we meet again.
Cremation was performed by Fry-Bross-Spidle Funeral Home of Kearney, Mo. The family invites you to leave your condolences, and your favorite stories or comments concerning Ralph.
A Celebration of Life service will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, April 26, 2015 in the Sanctuary of the Highlands Community of Christ Church, 7615 N. Platte Purchase Dr., Kansas City, MO 64118.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Liberty Hospital Hospice or Children's PEACE Center, both can be sent to the home at 203 E. 12th St., Kearney, MO 64060.
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