Ralph Eugene Tetlow, Jr. passed away in the morning on April 4, 2022. He was surrounded by his sons, his daughters (by marriage), and one of his oldest friends in his final minutes. His favorite music, the Blues, played in the background. His children carried with them love and prayers for a man who had spent his life embracing good times and friendships. And so it was, after weeks spent struggling with Covid, in Springfield, Missouri, Ralph's body let go. The nurses at his bedside remarked about how strong he was until the end. He was 3 months shy of his 69th birthday.

Ralph was born to Charlotte Tetlow (née Gardner) of Kansas City, Missouri and Ralph Eugene Tetlow Sr., of Keyetesville, Missouri in July of 1953. Both of his parents preceded him in death. His younger brother, CJ Tetlow, of Pleasant Hill, Missouri survives him.

Ralph loved to tell stories almost as much as he loved to find himself in situations worthy of being shared. He grew up on the east side of Kansas City in the middle of the 20th century. His father, a welder for TWA, was a veteran, and one of seven brothers. Ralph's uncles would become personal heroes, guides and mentors to him. Ralph had one aunt from his father's side, and she, likewise, was very important to his life. Ralph's mother worked for Sears, but primarily managed the household and kept engaged with her boys as a den mother for scouts and a truancy officer and PTA mom for the schools.

Ralph came of age in 1960's America. The soundtrack to his story was the golden age of Rock and Roll. Ralph loved music and, especially later in life, going to see shows and musicians. Although he never played anything more challenging than a harmonica, he truly appreciated guitar players, especially blues guitarists. Ralph was an outdoors person - a boy scout for many years and played sports until he began to work in high school. He especially appreciated watercrafts. He would later teach dozens to canoe and read the currents of streams.

Ralph graduated from East High School in Kansas City, MO in May of 1971. Ralph was mechanically inclined and good with his hands. He had a sharp eye for color and shape. So, after graduation, he went to trade school and learned the arts of body work. He spent most of his working years in auto body shops where his skill in repairing cars was nothing short of mastery.

In the spring of 1980 Ralph became a father – another Tetlow boy, named Jeremiah (or JT). Two years later he would have another named Justin (or Ace). His sons would marry later, JT to Jody Huntsman and Ace to Lindsay Foss. From these unions would come six grandchildren for Ralph - Joseph, Jacob, Jonas, Greyson, Gage, and Asher. His sons and their families survived Ralph.

Ralph's journey brought him from Kansas City to southwest Missouri in the late 1980's. An opportunity for his wife (now divorced), Elsie Tetlow (née May) came calling, so they moved and built roots in a small town outside of Springfield, called Rogersville. They would go on to raise their sons in the house Ralph built, which was still his home thirty years later.

As an empty nester, Ralph enjoyed cultivating his gardens, reading, and watching movies. His film collection was something to behold. But mostly, he spent time with friends. Whether it was telling stories at the bar, or playing farkle at someone's house, Ralph truly was himself when he was with the people he loved. He was notable locally for his fiery karaoke renditions of Soul Man or Strokin.

In Ralph's last moments of being able to speak, he told his caregivers how much he wanted to get better so he could get back to his grandkids. Ralph's family and friends were the world to him. He truly dropped everything to spend time with his people. He consistently had a story to tell but loved to hear from people as well. His wit and jovial nature made him genuinely the life of a party wherever he went. Ralph's spirit had so much left to give to all of us.

A celebration of Ralph's life will be held on Saturday, May 21st from 1:00 - 3:00 pm at Metropolitan Grill in Springfield, MO. 2931 E. Battlefield Rd, Springfield, MO 65804.