Ralph Cecil Shriver

Ralph Cecil Shriver, 81, died February 24, 2017 at the Shepherd Center, Cimarron. He was born on April 11, 1935 in Saline County, the son of Charles Amos and Opal (Cossal) Shriver. 

Ralph was born and reared in Saline County and was a graduate of Bavaria High School. On May 4, 1959 he married Nathalee Carson in Salina. He was a traveling salesman for Coca-Cola and other food services. The family moved to Dodge City in 1969 and have been area residents since then. Ralph and his wife Nathalee owned and operated a long haul trucking business where they drove together from coast to coast. He enjoyed sports and especially attending his grandchildren’s sporting events. 

He was a member of the Grace Community Church of Dodge City.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Nathalee Shriver of Cimarron; three daughters, Diane Bennett of Edwardsville, Illinois, Janet Smith and husband Leland of Cimarron and Cathy Hotzel and husband Jason of Kansas City, Missouri; 17 grandchildren, Dion Bernbeck and wife Amanda, Jarred Smith, Tara Burton and husband Jeff, Jacob Smith and wife Amanda, Jessica Parish and husband Jeff, Joshua Smith and wife Kyndell, Bethany Crum, Allison Hotzel, Traena Bennett, Rachel Smith, Katie Smith, Courtney Smith, Aaron Hotzel, Candace Smith, Jonathan Smith, Jaden Smith and Jordan Smith; 13 great grandchildren; and sister, Julia Behrend of Wichita. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Neal Shriver; two brothers, Charles and Hank; and three sisters, Mildred, Peggy, and Bernice.

Funeral service will be held at Grace Community Church on Wednesday March 1, 2017 at 10:00 AM with Pastors Kirk Larson and Jarred Smith presiding. Burial will be at 2:30 PM on Wednesday at the Utica Cemetery in Utica with military rites by McKinstry-Jones American Legion Post# 380. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Home on Tuesday February 28, 2017 from Noon to 8:00 PM with the family receiving friends from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to the Ralph Shriver Memorial Fund in care of the funeral home. Friends and family are encouraged to wear their favorite sports gear to honor Ralph’s love of sports. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.