Obituary of Ralph Lessy

Ralph Lee Lessy age 87, of Deer Trail, Colorado passed away on June 5, 2007 in Aurora, Colorado. Ralph was born on December 3, 1919 in Lucerne, Missouri to Floyd and Margaret (Elmore) Lessy, one out of six children. Ralph was baptized in the Church of Christ. In 1934 the family moved from Missouri to Last Chance, Colorado and later to Deer Trail. Ralph entered the United States Army during World War II on July 23, 1942 at the age of 23. He became a member of the 482nd Engineers Company as a heavy equipment mechanic. Ralph served in the European theater including the battle at Normandy. While in the service he received four medals for his service; American Service Medal, European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. Ralph was honorably discharged on November 27, 1945. Ralph owned and operated Lessy Blacksmith Shop in Deer Trail. He was a very good welder, and enjoyed making many things with his hands. He never missed the athletic and school events of his “adoptedâ€? sons, Bruce Pelton, Gordon Pelton, and David Norris. Ralph was a member of the Limon Church of Christ. Preceding Ralph in death are his parents; Floyd and Margaret Lessy, his brothers George, Albert, and Dale Lessy, and his sisters Pauline Crist and Mary Rogers. Ralph is survived by his sister-in-laws, Vena Lessy of Deer Trail, Colorado, and Faye Lessy of Missouri, his nieces Delores Beckett, Betty and husband Keith Greenwood, Marilyn Crist, and Dorothy Pollock, his nephew Bob and wife Dalene Rogers, as well as the boys he considered his lifetime friends, Bruce Pelton, David Norris, and Gordon Pelton. Ralph is also survived by his great neice Bonita Hatfield and great nephew Michael Koch and wife Renee. Ralph also had two great great nieces, Nicole and Emily Hatfield, a great great nephew Christopher Hatfield, and three step great nieces, Janine, Jerrilee Beckett, and Jackie Eliason and husband Eric and son Marcus. A graveside service will be held for Ralph on Thursday June 7, 2007 at 10:30 A.M. at the Evergreen Cemetery in Deer Trail, Colorado with Joe Kiely officiating. No public visitation will be held. Memorials may be made to the Deer Trail Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 257 Deer Trail, CO 80105.