Ralph Lewis Lilburn

Ralph Lewis Lilburn died peacefully at The Journey Home on August 20, 2024.He was born on February 5, 1930 in Pampa, Texas to Everett and Neva Lilburn, the fourth of nine siblings.He grew up in Nowata County, Oklahoma roaming the river bottom of the Verdigris River. He began his 60 year Thoroughbred racehorse career as a jockey at age 16. Ralph married Carol Brannan in 1947 and had two daughters, Ann and Marilyn. He continued his career, owning and training horses, traveling to various racetracks all over the country. He was still riding and exercising them on the track in his 50s. In 1953, he married Patsy Breshears and had two more children , Mona and Tony. Ralph was a lifelong learner and after retirement he pursued writing poetry and songs. He was an artist, crafting beautiful lathe turned pieces from wood; creating driftwood sculptures; rock tumbling. He enjoyed making fanciful animals out of wood he found and then would leave them on his sister Rosie’s lawn as a “gift”. He was a welder, a cattle rancher and taught himself the mysteries of the internet. He tackled Google, Facebook, Siri, and Instagram in his 80s. He was also an avid reader, sometimes reading 5 or six books a week. He was an adventurous and creative cook. After all the travel in his early life, he preferred to stay put in retirement, but he loved visitors. Ralph was blessed with a very large family and loved it when they visited. Family visits gave him a chance to tell stories and tease little ones. Ralph is preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Neva; one brother, Jack and four sisters; Bonnie Layton, Katie Link, Rosie Smith and Nancy Summers and one grandson Gunner Shaffer Ralph is survived by one sister, Carol Smith; and two brothers, Jim (Linda) and Mike (Jane): one son, Tony (Sanna): three daughters; Ann, Marilyn and Mona.Grandchildren David (Tracy) Millegan, Kim (Dan) Bailey, Heather Shaffer, Leah Darrah, Brannan (Nicole) Bolin, Matthew Godoy, Megan Lilburn, Alicia (James) Heltzel, Jacob (Ashley) Lilburn, Damien (Damenica)Greene, Patrick (Sidney) Ford. Ralph is also survived by 33 great grandchildren and 17 great, great grandchildren and treasured extended family and friends, including Shirley Belden and Jack Kips. Cremation by Stumpff Funeral Services. There will be a Celebration of Life at a later date.

Ralph Lewis Lilburn

February 5, 1930 - August 20, 2024