Ralph, 72, was a beloved husband, father, grandpa, brother and uncle. His earthly body left Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at home, after a five year battle with prostate cancer. He was born in Oakland, CA, to Wayne James and Elinor Rutin (Swingle) Patten.  

Ralph loved running the hills of the Bay Area. He attended Chico State, and Ambassador College both where he ran track and cross country. Ralph loved everything California and saw nothing wrong with rooting for the Oakland Traiders and the “forty-whiners”. He also enjoyed basketball and the Golden State Warriors. Ralph was a substitute teacher for a period and then got into trucking. He loved playing chess, joking around, bread, singing, and his family.

Ralph was the youngest of four siblings. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Doug.  Ralph is survived by his wife, Dianne (May) Patten, daughter, Elizabeth (Patten) Deuell and her husband, Christopher Deuell, and grandson, Joshua; sister, Dorothy and her husband Tom; brother, Leonard, and several nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends. 

A memorial service will be held 5:00 P.M., Saturday, August 7, 2021 at the Chapel of J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA.

In lieu of flowers those who wish may make a donation are asked to give to the American Cancer Society and/or get screened/tested when you should. 

Please follow the CDC and State of Virginia guidelines.

J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, watch the funeral services live online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.