Ralph Moses Fulford

My uncle Ralph died this week at age 82. He was born in Cortez, Florida and lived all his life within a few miles of his parent's house. He married Lois Guthrie, a girl from Cortez and went to work for his father Tink at Fulford Fish Company. He built a house next to his parents and lived in it for over 50 years.

Ralph and Lois were married for 64 years. They have the record for the longest marriage in my family!

Ralph had three children and managed Fulford Fish for over 50 years. When he retired the business closed because there was no other family member to take it over. I guess everyone figured no one could do as good as Ralph had done with it.

Ralph's middle name came from his mother's side of the family. Her grandfather, who died 10 years before she was born was Moses Wilson. I'm not sure where the name Ralph came from. There were several Ralphs in the family back in North Carolina in the 1700 and 1800s but I doubt his parents would have known of them.

Ralph was truly a blessed man. He enjoyed his work, had a great marriage and was respected in his community. The one thing I remember most from my grandfather's funeral in 1965 was so many people commenting on what a good man Tink Fulford was and how they respected him. I remember sitting next to Ralph at that funeral. I am sure those same thoughts were on many minds yesterday at Ralph's funeral.