Ralph McCue

??? Bluefield, WV - Dr. Ralph W. McCue 85 of 1300 Liberty Street Bluefield, WV died Wednesday morning April 23, 2008 at the Westwood Health Care Center Bluefield, VA. Ralph was born April 13, 1923 in Bluefield, WV, the son of the late Alonzo Gooch McCue, Jr. and Laurel Clarkson McCue. ??? Ralph grew up in Bluefield. He was an Eagle Scout and a lifelong member of the Buccaneer's Club. Ralph played football on the 1940 Beaver High School team that had the first undefeated season in the school's history. ??? Ralph attended VPI but left school after his sophomore year to enlist in the Army Air Corps during World War II. After serving in the European Theater in France and Germany, Ralph returned to VPI to complete some pre-dental courses. He then attended the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery at the University of Maryland Dental School and graduated in 1951. ??? After graduation he was recalled to active duty during the Korean War. He was assigned to Bolling Field in Washington, DC where he served for two years as a dentist. ??? In 1953 Ralph was discharged from the military. He and his family returned to Bluefield and Ralph joined his father, Dr. Alonzo McCue, Jr. in the practice of dentistry. Ralph continued his practice in Bluefield for 37 years, retiring on December 31, 1989. ??? Ralph was a life long member of Christ Episcopal Church in Bluefield. Over the years, he served on the Vestry, held positions of junior and senior warden, taught Sunday school and was a trustee of the Church. ??? Ralph was a member of the WV Dental Association and enjoyed presenting clinics on "root canal" techniques at the meetings. ??? Ralph was an avid golfer and loved his West Virginia hills. In October 2004, he was inducted into the BHS Hall of Fame.??? ??? Ralph is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Ellen Gilliss McCue and their four children Lynn (Russ) Burney of Wilmington, NC, R. William (Lorraine) McCue, Jr. of Akron, OH, Lucy (Don) Dancer of Manhattan Beach, CA, and Laurel (David) Payne of Blountville, TN. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Helen Burney (Greg) Williams, Jean Ellen and Anne McCue, Christian and Dana Dancer, Clarkson and Keaton Payne, and two great-grandchildren: Mitchell and Claire Williams. He is also survived by his sister Mary (Don) Kersey of Bluefield and was preceded in death by a sister Phyllis (Charlie) Pearce. ??? Ralph's family would like to extend our thanks, appreciation and love to his special friend Grady Price who gave him such wonderful care. Also we send our thanks and appreciation to the staff at Westwood Health Care Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Dr. Raza, Dr. Amin, Ms. Kim Matzel and the nursing staff at Bluefield Regional Medical Center for their wonderful, compassionate care of Ralph during his recent illness. ??? Funeral services will be conducted Saturday April 26, 2008 at 11:00 am at Christ Episcopal Church with The Rev. Michael E. Snider, II officiating. Interment will follow at Monte Vista Park Cemetery in Green Valley. Serving the family as pallbearers will be David Kersey, Don Dancer, Christian Dancer, Greg Williams, David Payne, Mike Sudduth, Dr. James M. Godwin, III and Dr. Gary Lawson. Honorary pallbearers will be Russ Burney, Charlie Scott, Don Kersey, Bobby Richardson, Dick Smith and Joe Graham. ??? The family will receive friends Friday April 25, 2008 at Mercer Funeral Home from 6:30 pm until 9:00 pm. ??? In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Christ Episcopal Church Building Endowment Fund 200 Duhring Street Bluefield, WV 24701, or to Bluefield Union Mission P.O. Box 4056 Bluefield, WV 24701.??? Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com? ??? Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory of Bluefield is serving the family of Dr. Ralph W. McCue.