Ralph L. Fenderson Jr.

Ralph Leon Fenderson Jr. (aka Ralph Charles Fenderson) went to be with the Lord on June 30, 2014.

Born Jan. 17, 1919 in The City of Our Lady Queen of the Angels, Los Angeles, Ralph was predeceased by his parents, Ralph L. and Marie C. Fenderson, as well as his great grandson, Gavin MacRae.

He was a graduate of Phoenix Junior College, UCLA, attended Notre Dame and transferred to George Washington University where he received a Juris Doctorate Degree.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Julia, and six children: sons, Stephen (Sheila) of Fort Morgan, Colo., and Gregory (Linda aka “dobbs”) of Sea Cliff, N.Y.; daughters, Judith Pohle (Bill) of Fountain Hills, Joyce Coury (Daniel Sr.) of Queen Creek, Susan Seiff (Harold) of Almont, Colo., and Sharon Fenderson of Fountain Hills.

In addition to his brother, George (Margaret Mary) of La Jolla, Calif.; niece, Christina Smith (Randy) of Scottsdale, Ralph is survived by 11 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, a great niece as well as several nieces and nephews back east.

Ralph was a World War II veteran having enlisted in the United States Navy as a Yeomen Third Class, discharged as a Chief Yeoman, and had prior military service with the Arizona National Guard 158th Infantry.

Ralph served as Assistant Attorney General for Maricopa County and as Deputy County Attorney. He also served as Assistant Scottsdale City Attorney and later served as a municipal judge, also in Scottsdale.

He was a member of Church of the Ascension in Fountain Hills. Always a gentleman, a man of dignity and strength, Ralph valued education and reveled in his linguistic abilities, particularly when it came to his native tongue, Spanish.

His family enjoyed his recitation of poetry and his life-lesson idioms in both English and Spanish, as well as his laughter. Ralph taught his children to be kind and respectful of others and believed in greeting all with eye contact and a firm handshake or hug.

Ralph will be sorely missed, and his family wishes to extend heartfelt appreciation to the caregivers who provided him with tender, loving care. As Ralph would say, “Thank you for that!”

The visitation for Mr. Fenderson will be Monday July 7, at Mountain View Funeral Home Chapel, 7900 E. Main St., Mesa, from 5-8 p.m. with a Rosary at 6 p.m. The funeral will be Tuesday, July 8, at 10 a.m., also at Mountain View.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, Alzheimer’s Association or the Alzheimer Foundation of America.