Ralph Fletcher

Ralph Mann Fletcher, lifelong resident of Dalton, GA, passed away on Monday, August 10th at PruittHealth in Ft. Oglethorpe, Georgia at the age of 92.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 63 years, Emmaree Dyer Fletcher; his parents, Eula and George Fletcher, and one sister, Evelyn Fletcher Legg.

He is survived by two sisters, Lois Fletcher Blaylock of Athens and Esther Fletcher Blackwell of Dalton; two daughters, Linda Rose Alford (Russell) and Carole Fletcher Crighton (Richard); five granddaughters, Natalie Hudgins Davis of Dalton, Gina Alford Dotson and Julie Alford Tate of Loudon, TN, Abby Alford of Cleveland, TN, Amanda Crighton Trefzger of Cincinnati, OH, and one grandson, Adam Hoge Crighton of Stow, OH. He is also survived by one great-granddaughter, four great-grand sons, one great-great grandson, and three great-great granddaughters.

Mr. Fletcher married his wife of 63 years just one year before joining the US Marine Corps in 1942. He eventually became a part of a marine detachment stationed on the naval ship, the USS Texas, and participated in numerous campaigns of WWII, most notably the Battle of Iwo Jima where he was a gunner on the battleship and a participant in the taking of Mt. Suribachi, witnessing the raising of the US flag in victory. (See Daily Citizen article from May 30, 2011). While his family says he rarely spoke about his time in the war most of his life, in later years, he recounted in vivid detail life on the ship and the horrors of war. Before his wife’s death, they traveled often to the yearly reunion of his detachment from the USS Texas. This small group of men had a special bond that remained as long as they were able to travel to spend time together.

A graveside service is planned for Saturday, September 12th at 4 p.m. at Whitfield Memorial Gardens.

Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.lovefuneralhomega.com.

Love Funeral Home, 1402 N. Thornton Ave, Dalton (across from Hamilton Medical Center) is in charge of arrangements.