Ralph P. Levey III passed away on Aug. 9.
Born on Oct. 13, 1949, in Oak Ridge, he attended Oak Ridge schools and graduated from Oak Ridge High School in 1968. He received an associate degree from Cleveland State Community College and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Ralph also completed the Training and Technology Program at the Oak Ridge U.S. Department of Energy training facility. He had a varied career, including having worked in Detroit, Mich., as an import/export agent, in non-destructive physical testing on oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico, and with exceptional adults in Oak Ridge, which was a particular passion. Ralph cared deeply about people who were vulnerable and enjoyed helping those less fortunate.
Ralph was an accomplished artist, specializing in carving wood sculptures. His work was highly regarded and was sold in Tennessee and Atlanta, Ga. He was also an accomplished photographer. He was beloved by his family and will be greatly missed by all those who knew him.
Ralph is survived by his mother, Joanne S. Gailar and his stepfather, Norman M. Gailar; sister and brother-in-law, Nancy and Ted Cole of Florida; brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Teresa Levey of Knoxville; and his beloved dog, Shelter.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter, 395 Belgrade Road, Oak Ridge TN 37830.
Martin Oak Ridge Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
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