Ralph Duane Shrauner

Ralph Duane Shrauner was born August 20, 1929, to Howard and Theo (Girton) Shrauner in Protection, Kansas, and died August 13, 2023, in Edmond, Oklahoma. The family moved to Dalhart, TX, when he was age 4, only to be greeted by the horrible conditions of the Dust Bowl. The family soon moved back to Protection.Ralph graduated from Protection High School in 1947 and went on to receive his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Fort Hays State College. Upon graduation, he joined the United States Air Force, where he was trained in the maintenance of B-47 bombers. The skills he developed from his early years on the farm were evident; General Curtis LeMay recognized him for creating a fixture to fine-tune the constant speed motor used in the aircraft's navigation system.After his discharge from the USAF, Ralph returned to the family farm. On April 26, 1958, he married Neoma Woolfolk. They remained busy raising two sons, growing the farm business, and participating in the community. Ralph genuinely loved farming -- He enjoyed seeing the beauty of a ripe wheat field waving in the wind and reveled in any crop he planted being in straight rows. Ralph was a creative man who enjoyed working with wood and metal. He became Protection's unofficial "fix it" man when the local blacksmith shop closed, rebuilding pieces of equipment and repairing almost anything that came through his shed's doors. Ralph was a Protection United Methodist Church member, serving on the Administrative Board and as chairman of the Building Committee as the congregation built their new facility. He was a member of the Protection City Council and served as Mayor for several years. He was also a Comanche County Hospital Board member and served on the South Central Foundation Board.Ralph is survived by his wife, Neoma, and two sons, Rev. Randal Shrauner, with his wife Jennifer of Edmond, OK, and Rex Shrauner, with wife Debora of Weatherford, TX. Also surviving are five grandchildren, including Justin Shrauner and Linh-Vy of Singapore, Dr. Benjamin Shrauner, DVM and Ruth of Shawnee, KS, Sarah and Jeff Dunn of Yukon, OK, Samantha Shrauner of Weatherford, TX, and Katherine and Brian Morris of Broken Arrow, OK. Seven great-grandchildren also survive.Ralph was preceded in death by a grandson, Dr. William Shrauner, and his wife, Dr. Courtney Haviland; his parents, Howard and Theo Shrauner; his sister, Martha; and her husband, Richard L. Morlan.Interment will be at the Protection Township Cemetery.Memorials may be sent to the Protection Methodist Church or Infant Crisis Services, 4224 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73015.