AggieNetwork.com
Account Benefits

"Find an Aggie" Online Directory

HireAggies Career Services

TX.AG

Roll Call Tribute

Ralph Weiser '46 April 29, 2016 1:04 PM updated: April 29, 2016 1:19 PM

(Published in) Magnolia (AR) Reporter (on) April 29, 2016

Ralph Christian Weiser

Ralph Christian Weiser, 91, our hero, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to all, died peacefully on April 27, 2016 after a short illness.

Ralph was born to Katie and “Bud” Weiser in Cisco, Texas on January 30, 1925. His big sister, Frances welcomed him into the family. In 1932, they moved to Gladewater, Texas where he graduated from high school in 1942. He enrolled in Texas A&M, where he studied mechanical engineering ($25 a semester!) and was drafted and served in World War II. He graduated in 1948. In 1949 he married Lou Burnett, moved to Magnolia, and began working for her father, Dick Burnett, managing his minor league baseball teams and working in the oil fields.

In 1954, Ralph founded Weiser-Brown Oil Company with his brother-in-law, Hughes Brown and he remained active in this family oil business for 67 years until his death.

During these years he was appointed by Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller to the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission and was a representative of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission. He was also appointed by Governor Huckabee to serve on the governor's Economic Development Commission.

After reconnecting at a Gladewater High School reunion, Ralph married his 3rd grade sweetheart Margaret and they lived in Magnolia happily ever after.

Ralph was blessed to be a parent of a child with special needs, Amalia. It was her life that ignited his passion for people with disabilities. He spent his life insuring that children and adults with special needs in our community have the best programs and services available to them. In the 1960s Ralph served on the Board of Columbia Association of Retarded Citizens. Today that program is called Magnolia Specialized Services, which provides programming to more than 125 children and adults. For more than 35 years, Ralph has been the president of the board for MSS and has been a board member for more than 40 years. He was not only the board president, but he was a familiar face among students and staff members who knew him on a first-name basis. He never missed a program, dance, or other special occasion. He volunteered for every Special Olympics event for more than 30 years, as recently as three weeks ago, where he served as scorekeeper.

Ralph’s faith and love for the Lord prompted him to found Faith Lutheran Church in Magnolia in 1962 where he has held every position in that church. He has been a faithful member of the Boards of the Mid-South and Southwest Districts of the Lutheran Church.

He has also been involved in his community as a 60-year member of the Rotary Club, as a supporter of the Magnolia Boys and Girls Club, Magnolia Junior Charity League Follies, Relay for Life, and Partners in Education. He was a current member of the Magnolia Airport Commission. For all of his service, he was awarded Citizen of the Year in 1987, Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009, and Rotarian Paul Harris Fellow.

Ralph joyfully gave to his church, his family, and his community. He lived for the Lord; and God was glorified by his life and will continue to be by the lives he touched.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Katherina and Christian “Bud” Weiser; daughter, Amalia; wife, Margaret; grandson, Wes; and great-grandson Warner. He is survived by his sister, Frances Maxwell; son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Margo Weiser, their daughter Katherine and husband Nathan Caldwell and their children, Finn, Wyatt, and Judd; daughter Cassie and son-in-law Mike Herrington, and their daughter Amalia and Lamar Wedell and their children Kylan, Lou Lou and Ward; and son Kyle Goodwin and his wife Amanda and their children Elijah and Stella; and their son Kearby Herrington and his wife Jennifer and their children Flint, Maddie and Mary Claire; and son Bry Herrington. Ralph is also survived by his stepdaughter Meg Langhorne and her stepsons, Max and Utah Snyder.

A celebration of Ralph’s life will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, May 1 at the Wes Weiser Gym, 1616 North Vine Street, Magnolia, Arkansas.

Honorary pallbearers are his beloved friends, “The Muffin Men” with whom he met weekly for many years.

In lieu of flowers, Ralph requested donations be sent to Magnolia Specialized Services or Faith Lutheran Church in Magnolia, Arkansas.
____________________________________________________________________________
(Published in) Magnolia (AR) Reporter (on) April 28, 2016

Rotary Club goes ahead with Ralph Weiser tribute only hours following his death

Posted: Thursday, April 28, 2016 9:03 pm | Updated: 10:08 pm, Thu Apr 28, 2016.

Ashley Whitelaw and Mike McNeill

Members of the Rotary Club of Magnolia worked hard for several days to put together a special program Thursday afternoon to honor member Ralph Weiser.

Mr. Weiser, a Magnolia oilman and philanthropist who joined the club in 1956, told Rotarians at their meeting two weeks ago that he was terminally ill and that he expected to “be in heaven” soon.

The Rotarians arranged “Ralph Weiser Day” with special music from the Southern Arkansas University Jazz Ensemble, a tribute from Gov. Asa Hutchinson, and honors from Weiser’s alma mater, Texas A&M.

Regrettably, Mr. Weiser couldn’t make it. He passed away late Wednesday at the age of 92.

But the tribute went forward with 67 Rotarians, guests and the musicians at the LifeSmart Center.

After a short prayer honoring Weiser, former Rotary Club President Todd Smith opened the meeting.

“Today we are going to celebrate Ralph Weiser, and Ralph is a real easy guy to celebrate. Today has been designated Ralph Weiser Day in recognition of Ralph’s 60th anniversary as a member of the Rotary Club of Magnolia,” Smith said.

“Besides his family, his Lord, and his country, Ralph had a love for music. And so goes the theme for RWD, music. Music for fellowship and enjoyment, like the opening song, which was one of his all-time favorites. We are going to celebrate Ralph today with the friendship he extended to each one of us, and the service about self he bestowed upon our community.”

Smith presented a letter from Gov. Asa Hutchinson to honor the 60th anniversary of Weiser’s Rotary Club membership. The letter was received Monday. It read:

“Dear Ralph,

“On behalf of the great state of Arkansas, I congratulate you on your 60th anniversary at Rotary and for the honor of Ralph Weiser Day at the Rotary Club of Magnolia. You are well deserving of such an honor. Having helped to shape the Magnolia community, you’re an example of the type of leader who puts service above himself. From the Ralph Weiser Independent Living Center, the Amelia Weiser Child Enrichment Center, to Wes Weiser Gym, and Magnolia Specialized Services, you have shown the importance and enrichment of giving. I commend you on your lifelong dedication to your community, to your state of Arkansas, and on your strong faith in the Lord. Congratulations on a special day.

"Asa Hutchinson

“(Handwritten on bottom) P.S. Ralph, you are the best!”

Just a month ago, on March 17, the governor spoke at Magnolia Specialized Service’s Annual Steak Dinner and singled out Weiser for his longtime presidency of MSS. MSS serves children and adults who have special educational and vocational needs.

On Thursday, Smith said the Texas A&M University flag over the entrance to the LifeSmart Center meeting room was flown Monday at the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center in College Station in honor of Weiser. He said it will be presented to the family later.

The school also let Smith present a token to the Weiser family – an A&M Core Value Coin. The coin is similar to the Military’s Challenge Coin. The school sent this statement with the coin:

“The Association of Former Students created the Core Value Coin a few years ago to honor Aggies who exemplify Texas A&M’s core values of excellence, integrity, leadership, loyalty, respect and selfless service. Ralph has been a generous supporter of Texas A&M through the Association of Former Students for nearly four decades. He has been both an inspiration to his community of Magnolia, Arkansas, and to his Alma Mater, of Texas A&M. Aggies are not defined by any one accomplishment and certainly by not any title. Aggies are defined by an uncommon spirit with distinct values and a display of those values in all that they do. Ralph epitomizes the very essence of what it means to be a Texas Aggie.”

“In recognition that Ralph Weiser used his gifts to make the world a better place, the Association of Former Students has asked me to present this coin to Ralph’s family to recognize his lifetime of selfless service to others,” Smith said.

Smith said that schools have cheers and chants that they do. He said the Texas A&M had their “yell leaders” get together and presented custom yell for Ralph. The video was played followed by the Aggie War Hymn.

The Southern Arkansas University Jazz Ensemble performed four jazz pieces titled “Blues to Begin With,” “Take the ‘A’ Train,” “Another Look at the Diminished Chord,” and “Hit the Ground Running.” The ensemble was under the direction of Andy Peeks.

Funeral arrangements for Mr. Weiser will be announced by Lewis Funeral Home of Magnolia.
____________________________________________________________________________
Lewis Funeral Home - Magnolia obituary
420 North Jackson
P.O Box 38
Magnolia, AR 71753
Telephone: (870) 234-1010
Fax: (870) 234-5503
Email: lewisfuneralhome@yahoo.com
Website: www.LewisFuneralHome.biz

Ralph Christian Weiser
January 30, 1925 - April 27, 2016

Ralph Christian Weiser, our Hero, Father, Grandfather, Brother, Uncle, and friend to all, died peacefully on April 27, 2016 after a short illness.

Ralph was born to Katie and “Bud” Weiser in Cisco, Texas on January 30, 1925. His big sister, Frances welcomed him into the family. In 1932, they moved to Gladewater, Texas where he graduated from high school in 1942. He enrolled in Texas A&M, where he studied mechanical engineering ($25 a semester!) and was drafted and served in World War II. He graduated in 1948. In 1949 he married Lou Burnett, moved to Magnolia, and began working for her father, Dick Burnett, managing his minor league baseball teams and working in the oil fields.

In 1954, Ralph founded Weiser-Brown Oil Company with his brother-in-law, Hughes Brown and he remained active in this family oil business for 67 years until his death. During these years he was appointed by Governor Rockefeller to the Oil and Gas Commission and was a representative of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission. He was also appointed by Governor Huckabee to serve on the Governors Economic Development Commission.

After reconnecting at a Gladewater High School Reunion, Ralph married his 3rd grade sweetheart Margaret and they lived in Magnolia happily ever after!

Ralph was blessed to be a parent of a child with special needs, Amalia. It was her life that ignited his passion for people with disabilities. He spent his life insuring that children and adults with special needs in our community have the best programs and services available to them. In the sixties Ralph served on the Board of Columbia Association of Retarded Citizens. Today that program is called Magnolia Specialized Services, which provides programming to over 125 children and adults. For over 35 years, Ralph has been the President of the Board for MSS and has been a board member for over 40 years. He was not only the Board President, but he was a familiar face among students and staff members who knew him on a first-name basis. He never missed a program, dance, or other special occasion. He volunteered for every Special Olympics event for over 30 years, as recently as three weeks ago, where he served as scorekeeper!

Ralph’s faith and love for the Lord prompted him to found Faith Lutheran Church in Magnolia in 1962 where he has held every position in that church. He has been a faithful member of the Boards of the Mid-South and Southwest Districts of the Lutheran Church.

He has also been involved in his community as a 60 year member of the Rotary Club; as a supporter of the Magnolia Boys and Girls Club; Magnolia Junior Charity League Follies; Relay for Life; and Partners in Education. For all of his service, he was awarded Citizen of the Year in 1987; Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009; Rotarian Paul Harris Fellow.

Ralph joyfully gave to his church, his family, and his community. He lived for the Lord; and God was glorified by his life and will continue to be by the lives he touched.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Katherina and Christian “Bud” Weiser; daughter, Amalia; wife, Margaret; grandson, Wes; and great-grandson Warner. He is survived by his sister, Frances Maxwell; Son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Margo Weiser, their daughter Katherine and husband Nathan Caldwell and their children, Finn, Wyatt, and Judd; Daughter Cassie and son-in-law Mike Herrington, and their daughter Amalia and Lamar Wedell and their children Kylan, Lou Lou and Ward; and son Kyle Goodwin and his wife Amanda and their children Elijah and Stella; and their son Kearby Herrington and his wife Jennifer and their children Flint, Maddie and Mary Claire; and son Bry Herrington. Ralph is also survived by his step-daughter Meg Langhorne and her step-sons, Max and Utah Snyder.

A celebration of Ralph’s life will be held on Sunday, May 1 at the Wes Weiser Gym, 1616 North Vine Street, Magnolia, Arkansas at 1:30 P.M.

Honorary Pallbearers are his beloved friends, “The Muffin Men” with whom he met weekly for many years.

In lieu of flowers, Ralph requested donations be sent to Magnolia Specialized Services or Faith Lutheran Church in Magnolia, Arkansas.


Celebration of Life Service

MAY 1. 01:30 PM

West Weiser Gym
1616 North Vine St.
Magnolia, AR, US, 71753


comments powered by Disqus

This article is visible to the public

Address

505 George Bush Drive
College Station, TX 77840

Phone Number

(979) 845-7514

© 2024 The Association of Former Students of Texas A&M University, All Rights Reserved