Ralph Thomas Nunn, 83, an Oak Harbor resident for 49 years, died Sept. 7, 2006. He was born Jan 28, 1923 in Chelsea, Mass., and married Rosalie Beers, July 15, 1944, in Tacoma.

Ralph valued three things in life: God, family, and country. In 1941, he enlisted in the Navy, serving in WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. His naval career spanned 24 years and included 32 duty stations and numerous carrier deployments. In 1965, he retired as a Senior Chief Petty Officer and continued his career as an aviation electronics technician with civil service until 1986.

The Navy was not just an occupation for Ralph, but a way of life that permeated his vocabulary, influenced the way he dressed, directed his habits, and shaped his values.

He was a patriot whose motto was, “Our country! In her intercourse with foreign nations, may she always be in the right; but our country, right or wrong.” He read widely on political issues, and his opinion letters were featured in numerous media venues including Paul Harvey News.

Ralph’s patriotism extended into avid stewardship of our natural resources. Long before it was en vogue, he was recycling everything from lunch bags to aluminum foil. Waste of any natural resource he viewed as irresponsible, and he imparted this stewardship of caring for the environment to his progeny.

Family was paramount to Ralph. Throughout his frequent absences in naval service he wrote often and well, imparting his values and affection to those he loved. While at home he labored tirelessly, doing all the things for his family, friends, and at church that he’d been unable to do while away.

His devotion to family extended through the generations. Ralph spent countless hours teaching grandchildren how to swim, skate, ride a bike, or hit a ball. His house and yard were often filled at all hours of the day with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. By giving of himself unstintingly, he consistently lived out his own personal philosophy, “Do the best you can, where you are, with what you’ve been given.”

The life of service that Ralph espoused and lived flowed from his faith in Jesus Christ. The best sermons, he believed, were not ones that were heard, but the ones seen in action.

Ralph T. Nunn is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Rosalie Nunn and their four children: Chelsee Walden and husband Steve, Rick Nunn and wife Cheryl, Diane Holmly and husband Dan, all of Oak Harbor, and Sally Mickley and husband Marv of Lynden. In addition, he leaves behind eight grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three siblings, Grace Robey, James Nunn, and Robert Nunn of Lynnfield, Mass.

A memorial service was held Sept. 10 at Oak Harbor Church of the Nazarene with Rev. Ben Norris presiding. Memorial gifts may be sent to the Salvation Army. Arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.