Obituaries
3-11-03
Longview News-Journal


Ralph G. Akers 

Ralph G. Akers, 86, passed away March 8, 2003, after a brief illness 
with brain cancer. A memorial service is set for 1 p.m. Wednesday, 
March 12, 2003, at Rader Funeral Home in Longview, with the Rev. 
Frank Richardson and the Rev. Bill Cunningham officiating. 

Ralph Glynn Akers was born in Dawson to Sam Houston and Mary 
Elizabeth Akers. He grew up in Dawson and graduated from Baylor 
University. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army. He 
spent his working years as an employee of Shell Oil Co., where he 
was an accountant. After his retirement in 1981, he and his wife, 
Susan, moved from Houston to Longview. 

Ralph and Susan made many good friends in Longview. They were 
members of the First Methodist Church, where Ralph gave his talents 
of teaching Sunday school classes and playing the piano and where 

Susan enjoyed her participation in the choir. Ralph was an avid 
bridge player and also enjoyed playing the piano. 

His family would like to thank the people of Greater Hospice of 
Texas for the loving care they gave him. Also, many thanks to his 
church family, loyal friends and neighbors, who were all there to 
give love and comfort. 

Ralph was a delightful person to be with, and he will be lovingly 
remembered by his family and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Susan; his son, John Thomas; 
his daughter, Jill; his parents; and one brother, C.W. Akers. 

He is survived by one brother, Sam H. Akers Jr. and his wife, 
Imogene, of Fort Worth; two sisters, Jimmie Sue Irwin and her 
husband, Howard, of Montvale, N.J., and Beth Duke and her husband, 
James Donald, of Fort Worth; a sister-in-law, Carolyn Ridgway of 
Tulsa, Okla.; his brothers-in-law, John and Tom Dutton of Tulsa, 
Okla.; and a number of nieces and nephews. 

The Ralph G. Akers family will be remembered for their generous 
donation to Mercy Ships, where a cabin is named for them on a ship 
that will give medical aid to needy people worldwide for generations 
to come. 

Memorials may be made to Greater Hospice of Texas, P.O. Box 9725, 
Longview, TX 75608, or to the American Red Cross, 1604 Texas 31, 
Longview, TX 75601. 

Visitation is 6:30-8:30 p.m. today, March 11, at the funeral home.