Celebrating the Life of
Howard Ralph Bostic Jr.
July 2, 1952 — May 8, 2023
Memories and Condolences
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Our first date! What a time we had. I miss all those special moments. You were the sunshine in my day. Always had a song on your heart each day. Howard Ralph Bostic it was an honor to be your wife. ♥️
My condolences to his family. He was a loving husband to Donna. He always made me feel welcome in his home. His family loved him dearly. 💐
Ralph came into my life when I was around 3. He told me I stole his heart. One story on rotation was of me climbing up the pantry to get a Hostess Cupcake, putting half in my mouth and offering him the other half which was smushed in my hand. With my mouth full of cake asking, "want some?" We used to go to this restaurant on Bolsa Chica, Jon's or Joe's something, and we would get Biscuits and Gravy. As he would call it, South for you mouth. Ralph came to Huntington Beach to work in the oil industry in his 20's. Living in Southern California for over 40 years, he still had his southern accent. I vividly remember him teaching me how to ride a bike, ski and taking me to Music Plus to pick out a movie on Friday nights. When he cooked, which was rare, he made beans and cornbread. I am so happy I could make it for him before he passed. Ashley and I have a joke of calling dad Danny Tanner. He took care of his house quite meticulously. He would expect us to do the same. I can still hear him with his southern drawl, "Now honey, you need to get in the corner and scrub harder." Dad loved to fish and Ski, watch basketball and listen to music and so much more. He told me he wanted to be a drummer. I feel like he lived vicariously through his favorite bands. And if you knew Ralph, you would match him with The Rolling Stones. With his dance moves and seeing the band over 20 times, I would say he was a super fan. But that was dad. He loved life. He worked hard and played hard. He was welcoming to family, friend and friends of friends. He liked a gathering, a party , a celebration. Speaking of, his birthday is on July 2nd. He pretty much took over the 4th of July. Music was always on at the house. The rotation on surround sound in the house while I was in college was RHCP, KOL, U2. And who doesn't love to hear your dad singing KOL, sex is on fire 😂. Dad got back to Tennessee. Back to the Great Smoky Mountains. Too many stories. I hope y'all share yours. Dads zest for life and these memories will carry us in this difficult time ❤️
Get er done!!
Leading up to the Lynard skynard concert, dad would always drive by my apartment and yell “SKYNAAAARD” and drive away. This was us at that concert. The trend continued after that until we moved to Idaho. He would drive by my house and yell skynard, I would drive by his house and yell it. We even had family catching on. Great memories.
October 2012. Dad was very proud that day walking me down the aisle and I was lucky to have him by my side. His speech was memorable and dance moves always on point.
Uncle Ralphy is our favorite uncle, and it’s not up for debate. Every time I saw uncle Ralphy, he’d emphatically ask, “Wada ya say Mick?!”. I’d nervously laugh and smile, and say “hi”. One day I wondered what that had meant? so I asked him, and he said “well shit, I don’t know!”. And that was just it. Nevermind the words, his expression, his smile, his enthusiasm was the point. It is rare to find someone who is so clearly themselves. Who’s inner being, aura, whatever you’d like to call it, is not only on their sleeve, but yelling out to you the minute you walk through the door. Christmas in California was always fun. He’d house all of us, think of generous gifts for each of us, introduce us to his friends, clean up after us, and all it seamed that he wanted in return was to spend time together. To be family. To be loved - and that, we can we can all be certain, he was. Uncle Ralphy made all of us a bit better. I was lucky enough to study at his school for how-to-be-a-great-uncle and am looking forward to passing that along to the next generation of Bostic’s.
I’ll never be able to hear a Rolling Stones song with out thinking of Ralph. They always reminded me of him, but now it’s a bitter sweet emotion. It’s a wonderful reminder of him but a sad feeling to know he’s no longer with us. He was so kind and such a joyful spirit. He will be greatly missed.
A great friend for many decades who knew how to enjoy life to it’s fullest, rest in peace!
My condolences to the family during this difficult time. I am so sorry for your loss.
We are so sorry for your loss. For our loss!! We adore Ralph and he will be truly missed!
I am so sorry for your loss, condolences to you and your family. Blessings ✝️💟✝️
Howard Ralph Bostic jr. ♥️
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