CMsgt (ret.) Ralph Aranda Mejia, 85, died peacefully at his home on October 27, 2014, after a long illness and sudden decline. Chief Mejia was proceeded in death, four weeks ago, by his wife of 61 years, Evelyn E. Mejia. Also proceeding him in death were his brothers Reuben Aranda, Trino Mejia and Henry Mejia. He is survived by his children, Ramona Mejia Martin (Garry) of Greenville; Lisa Mejia Hudson (Dwight) of Spring Creek; Melinda Mejia Adams (Tim) of Las Vegas, NV and Carlos A. Mejia (Charlene Rodriquez-Mejia) of Fort Worth, TX, three grandchildren, Benjamin Lee Flores, Carlos J. Mejia de Rodriquez (Lydia) and Dean Lee Martin and seven great-grandchildren, Robert Andrew Mejia de Rodriquez, Carter McNeil Vinson, Victoria Martin, Mercedes Martin, Taylor Martin Yetter, BellaLee Thompson and Angel Padilla and seven great-great-grandchildren. Ralph was born in Los Angeles, CA on February 6, 1929 to Eulogia and Genebeva (Zavala) Aranda. His father died a few years later, followed years later followed by Ralph's brother, Reuben, shortly thereafter. His mother subsequently married Cecelio Mejia and Ralph and his brother Trino, took their step-father's last name. Ralph Trino were soon joined by his brothers, Luis and Henry (Hank) and his beloved little sister Mickie (Pee Wee). In 1947, Ralph enlisted in the Army-Air Corp. and was posted to occupied Japan. While there, he developed an appreciation for other cultures that continued throughout his life. He shared that love with his wife Evelyn and his children. Whenever the family was stationed outside the United States, they immersed themselves in the local culture. In September 1947, the Army Air Corp. was disbanded and service members were given a choice of which branch of service to serve in; Ralph chose the Air Force. In 1953, he married Evelyn E. Hicks at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Montgomery, AL. They were joined by Ramona in 1954 in Montgomery, AL, Carlos in 1957 at Warner Robbins, GA; Lisa in 1960 at Hickam AFB, HI and Melinda in 1964, at McGuire AFB, NJ. Together, they traveled the world, living in Alabama, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, New Jersey, Phillipines, Amarillo, TX, Nebraska, Montgomery (again), Florida, Japan and finally New Jersey, where Ralph retired as the CMSgt of MAC (Military Airlift Command) on June 30, 1977. During his career, he served in the Korean War and the Vietnam Conflict. He was awarded the Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver Oak Leaf Cluster (OLC) and one bronze OLC. Air Force Good Conduct Medal with four OLC, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Army of Occupation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, with two stars Army Good Conduct Medal USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Bronze Star for Valor in Vietnam. After leaving the Air Force, he went back to school and received his Associates Degree, and then went to work for Mutual of Omaha, rising to the position of General Manager, S. California Division. In his leisure time, Chief Mejia was passionate about golf. As a very young boy, he had caddied for some of the most famous golfers of the time including Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Bob Hope and Bing Crosby and Johnny Weissmuller. In 1966, he and Evelyn, along with their daughter, Lisa and her daughter, Brianna, moved back to Alabama, to live at Evelyn's ancestral home. For the next 18 years, he enjoyed an active rural lifewith his dogs, his gardens and his cows. His happiest moments were when his house was filled with his children and grandchildren or when he was out in the fields with his dogs, Cissi, Rachael, Peaches and Sarah. The family will receive friends on Friday, October 31, 2014 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Dunklin & Daniels Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2014, at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, at 11:00 a.m. officiated by Fr. Tony Xavier. Burial will be in the family cemeterywith full military honors at 10963 Steiner Store Road in Spring Creek. The family would like to thank Comfort Care Hospice for all the care and support during our father's illness, in particular, Emma Jackson, R.N., Novena Herbert and Debbie Stewart. We would also like to thank our special friend, Jeanette Sexton for her love and her special care of both our mother and father. In lieu of flowers, the family would request contributions to the Wounded Warrior Project, 3343 Peachtree Road, NE #M20, Atlanta, GA 30326, Telephone: 404.974.9234
Fax: 404.467.0573