Ralph Douglas Boots, 87

Ralph Douglas Boots, 87, passed away on Aug. 28, 2011, at The Springs of Whitefish.

Ralph was born on July 1, 1924, in Fayette County, Ky., to Lucian Boots and Loraine (Miller) Boots.

Ralph married the love of his life, Irene Cox, on Aug. 14, 1968, in Brownsville, Tenn. They just recently celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary.

He graduated from Campbellsville College and later secured his Doctorate of Theology degree. He then preached in various Southern Baptist Churches for 50-plus years.

Ralph enjoyed woodworking, building furniture, and he loved to watch professional wrestling. He was a member of the Southern Baptist Association in Florida and in Tennessee. 

Ralph was preceded in death by his mother and father, Loraine and L.A. Boots; his son, Edward; brothers, M.E. “Dude,” John “Pete,” and James; and his sister, Mable Wallace.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Irene Boots; and his children, Vernon Boots of Pahrump, Nev., Carolyn Rodgers and Brenda Franklin, of Campbellsville, Ky., Dianne Jackson of Pelahatchie, Miss., Lynda Saibini of Stafford, Va., and Cathy Dulin of Kalispell; and his sisters, Dorothy Brown of Warsaw, Ky., and Agnes Haddix of Verona, Ky.

The family would like to thank the staff of The Springs of Whitefish for their dedication and care of Ralph during the last two years, and the staff at Home Options Hospice for their loving care of Ralph during his final days.

Services for Ralph will be at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 1, at Austin Funeral Home. There will be a visitation from 1 to 4 p.m. on Thursday prior to services.

Arrangements are entrusted to Austin Funeral Home. You are invited to go to www.austinfh.com to offer condolences and view Ralph's tribute wall.