Ralph Patrick

Ralph Patrick, 77, of Yorktown, passed away peacefully March 5, 2022.
The beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend lived life to the fullest and will be greatly missed.
Ralph was born in Conklin, Michigan, to the late Hattie and Joseph Patrick. He grew up in both Michigan and Bomi Hills, Liberia, before graduating from the University of Minnesota, where he studied business and engineering. On April 15, 1972, between hunting season and fishing opener, in Minneapolis, MN, he married the love of his life, Dee Dee. He had a long career that spanned about 40 years and finally concluded when he retired in 2009 as the Senior Director of Engineering for Newport News Inc. Ralph was an avid outdoorsman, inspiring all those around him with his love of nature. He was an expert global hunter and fisherman, bringing home trophies to hang on the wall and great stories to share. He loved aviation and used his skills as a pilot to woo Dee Dee by flying to visit her when they were first dating. He enjoyed tinkering in his garage, working on projects, and fixing things – especially lawn mowers. He was a member of Tidewater Oyster Gardeners Association and loved being an oyster “rancher,” growing oysters to eat and help clean the Bay. He was an amazing friend, he made friends everywhere but maintained several treasured life long friendships. He was most proud of his family – his loving wife of almost 50 years, Dee Dee; his daughter, Tiffany; his son, Troy (April); and granddaughters Leah and Mara. He was a man of many talents but his greatest joys were laughing, joking, and sharing a story or words of wisdom with his family and friends.
Ralph is preceded in death by his father and mother, Joseph and Hattie Patrick of Spring City, TN.
Ralph is survived by his wife, Dee Dee Patrick of Yorktown, VA; daughter, Tiffany Patrick of St Neots, United Kingdom; son Troy Patrick (April) of Richmond, VA; and granddaughters Leah and Mara Patrick. He is also survived by his brothers Ronald Patrick (Sue) of Spring City, TN; Darryl Patrick (MaryAnne) of Remington, VA; Kevin Patrick of Fort Wayne, IN; and many other family and friends.
Donations can be made in Ralph’s memory to Peninsula SPCA at www.peninsulaspca.org.
The celebration of life will be Saturday March 12, 2022 at Amory Funeral Home at 410 Grafton Drive, Grafton, VA 23692 at 3:30. Arrangements are by Amory Funeral Home. It will also be streamed on zoom opening at 3:00 at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4099360312?pwd=NlZTeTVyaTVYRTF0MkltRVhaNUdXQT09
Meeting ID: 409 936 0312
Passcode: 104172